Mahomes says rehab goal was walking before his daughter's first steps

Patrick Mahomes has spent roughly nine months rehabbing a serious left-knee injury suffered in December 2025 against the Los Angeles Chargers, with reports variously describing damage to his ACL and a second knee ligament. His recovery was driven in part by a personal goal: walking before his 11-month-old daughter, Golden, took her first steps, both as a competitive challenge and so he could remain active with his three children. Mahomes worked closely with Chiefs athletic trainer Julie Frymyer and maintained his rehabilitation even while attending family and social events. Chiefs General Manager Brett Veach called the recovery remarkable, and Mahomes appears on track to start Kansas City’s Week 1 game against the Denver Broncos, though his effectiveness and timetable for returning to peak form remain uncertain.