Despite tearing his ACL and LCL last season and undergoing surgery, Patrick Mahomes has insisted he will be ready to start next season. Over the past few weeks, he has reiterated that same, and that includes posting a video of him throwing a little over 100 days after his knee surgery. It was a glimpse of hope for Kansas City Chiefs fans who are counting the days until his return. But if last season taught them anything, it is this: a new twist is always around the corner.

Here’s the thing: The NFL’s Annual League Meetings take place from Sunday through Wednesday, and representatives of all 32 teams have gathered to go over key matters. One topic drawing attention is the 2026 season opener, where the reigning champions, the Seattle Seahawks, will host the kickoff game. Among the potential opponents, the Chiefs remain one of the possibilities. However, a new update from owner Clark Hunt has caught many fans off guard.

“I don’t think that’s on the table anymore,” Clark said at the NFL owners meeting when asked if the Kansas City team would start the season against Seattle, as reported by Nate Taylor. “I think from a league standpoint, there would be some concern whether [Patrick Mahomes] would be ready to go.

“It’s not a request we’ve made. It sounds like a good idea [for the NFL], although it’s only 1 [more] day.”

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Still, Taylor pointed out in another tweet that the NFL previously scheduled the New England Patriots in the 2009 opener, even with Tom Brady returning from a torn ACL.

The 2026 season opener is set to be played on a Wednesday night instead of the usual Thursday. This change comes because the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers will face off on Thursday in Melbourne, Australia. But a major factor in all of this is Patrick Mahomes and his recovery timeline from injury. The NFL schedule will be released on May 14, but that date is too early to know whether the quarterback will be ready for Week 1.

Plus, the Chiefs are almost certain to land several prime-time slots next season. It, however, wouldn’t be shocking if their biggest spotlight games are scheduled a bit later, once the uncertainty around Mahomes’s availability has had time to settle. So, while Clark has raised his concerns, head coach Andy Reid offered a more optimistic update.

“He’s doing great,” Reid said last week. “He spends a ton of time in the building. He’s in there for seven hours a day. It’s showing the progress. Now, to tell you a timeline? I mean, I know what he’s striving for. We’ll just see where it goes from there.”

Mahomes suffered a torn ACL late in a game against the Chargers on December 14, 2025, which ruled him out for the rest of the season. The Chiefs went on to lose to the Chargers, ending their playoff hopes. It also marked the first time in Mahomes’ career that he missed the postseason. He underwent the required surgery to repair his torn ACL and LCL, and he is currently undergoing rehab.

After Hunt’s comments, the NFL may need to revisit its scheduling, and given the circumstances, it likely should. This is because choosing the Chiefs to face the Seahawks in the opener could come with some risk, mainly because Mahomes’ availability for Week 1 remains uncertain. If he isn’t ready, the spotlight would shift to a matchup between Sam Darnold and new Chiefs backup Justin Fields, which may not generate the kind of excitement the league typically expects for a marquee kickoff game.

For now, the Chiefs appear out of the question to go against Seattle. So, the Seahawks’ possible opponents for Week 1 include the Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Chargers, and Patriots.

Justin Fields could take charge of the Chiefs’ offense

The return of Patrick Mahomes is still a question mark for the team. No wonder the Chiefs made a wise decision this offseason by bringing in Justin Fields. If their star quarterback cannot make it to the early season, the Chiefs could put Fields in charge of their offense.

The Jets traded their starting quarterback to the Chiefs this offseason in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round pick. Fields had originally signed a two-year, $40 million contract with the New York Jets in 2025. A first-round draft choice in the past, Fields is gearing up to play his sixth year in the NFL with the Chiefs after stints with several teams, including the Chicago Bears, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Jets.

Last year, Fields played nine games before being put on injured reserve in December. Although his playing time was limited last season, the Chiefs’ head coach praised his potential.

“Well, we snuck out and got a good quarterback to back him up,” Reid said last week. “So, if he doesn’t, you know, if he’s not able to make it for the beginning of the season, then we know we’ve got a legitimate backup there that can go win games for us.”

He threw for 1,259 yards, including seven touchdowns and one interception. He also recorded six big-time throws and seven turnover-worthy plays, showing how he handled pressure situations. So, as the season approaches, it will be interesting to see how things play out for the Chiefs and whether Mahomes is able to return or not.