Andy Reid: Patrick Mahomes shows key leg strength in camp
Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Patrick Mahomes looked strong in practice Wednesday, citing clear strength in the quarterback's legs as he returns from a December torn ACL. Mahomes skipped the PUP list, worked with rookies last week, and remains on track to start Week 1 against the Denver Broncos.
Key Takeaways
- Andy Reid praised Patrick Mahomes' leg strength and footwork after Wednesday's practice.
- Mahomes tore his ACL in December but did not open camp on the physically unable to perform list.
- Reid is monitoring technique closely while trainer Julie Frymyer guides rehab push-off work.
- Justin Fields arrives as a high-level backup, yet Mahomes still looks set for Week 1.
- A heated right-tackle competition could shape how well Kansas City protects its star quarterback.
What did Andy Reid say about Patrick Mahomes?
Reid told reporters Mahomes "looked pretty good" and "strong" once veterans joined camp work. The coach zeroed in on lower-body power first after a major leg injury.
"You see the strength in his legs, which is important with a leg injury," Reid said, via a team transcript cited by NBC Sports. "You kind of look at that first. See how his feet are moving, feet are moving well. So, I thought it was positive."
That assessment matters because Mahomes needs to trust the leg to escape pressure and drive throws. Reid said he can still bend, throw, and drive off it in practice.
Why does Patrick Mahomes' recovery timeline matter for Week 1?
All indications in camp coverage point to Mahomes starting when Kansas City opens against Denver. He began camp without the active/PUP designation and already worked with rookies before full-squad sessions ramped up.
Reid is not pretending to be the doctor, but he said he is keeping "a close eye on the small things, technique-wise." Assistant athletic trainer Julie Frymyer, he noted, has given Mahomes chances to push off laterally and straight ahead so he can escape as needed.
The Chiefs also brought in Justin Fields as a high-level backup. Even so, reporting from NBC Sports frames Mahomes as still on the Week 1 starter path. For more BlasterPost coverage beyond the gridiron, browse our Future Tech & AI Wonders hub.
How could the right-tackle battle affect Patrick Mahomes?
According to Yahoo Sports, Mahomes figures to pay close attention to Kansas City's right-tackle competition. Veteran Jaylon Moore is the expected starter, but undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson took many first-string reps, with Esa Pole also rotating in.
Reid has labeled the spot a competition. With Mahomes returning faster than expected from the ACL tear—and after a 2025 season that missed the playoffs—keeping him upright is a central camp theme.
NFL Network's "Good Morning Football" has also debated how big a deal any on-field return for Mahomes is at this stage. For now, Reid's on-field read is the clearest signal: the legs look strong, the feet look clean, and the comeback remains on schedule.