One of the most anticipated offseason events in the NFL is the schedule release, and it is expected to be released in the 2nd or 3rd week of this month.
Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes is the face of the NFL. Prime-time games featuring him with Chiefs regularly pull massive numbers, especially against contenders like Eagles and Buffalo. But heading into the 2026 season, the NFL is facing a major uncertainty.
Mahomes is coming off a serious knee injury suffered late in the 2025 season, and his recovery timeline is clear yet. This uncertainty has forced the league to rethink how it builds its early-season schedule. Usually, the NFL shows high-profile games early in the season to maximize excitement and build anticipation for the rest of the season.
If the league schedules the Chiefs games early in the season and Mahomes isn’t available, we could see a significant drop in the viewership.
NFL Vice President of Broadcast Planning Mike North during a recent interview said: “He’s one of the biggest stars in the league, and I don’t. think any of us would feel great if we had him in prime time early in the season and he missed the first four weeks or whatever,”
At the same time, delaying Chiefs’ biggest matchups until later in the season isn’t a perfect solution either. The NFL has to find a balance between broadcast viewership, and fan expectations. That’s why the schedule release this year could see a slight delay.
When Can We Expect Patrick Mahomes Return?
Mahomes underwent knee surgery in December 2025. Keeping his recovery timeline for around nine months, we can expect a potential return somewhere near the start of the 2026 regular season.
Recovery from ACL and LCL injuries differs significantly depending on rehab progress, conditioning, etc. In Mahomes’ case, the Chiefs could opt to keep him off the field early in the year.
If everything goes smoothly, he could be ready by Week 1 or shortly after. However, even a minor setback here could push his return further. That uncertainty is exactly why the NFL is being cautious with its scheduling decisions.
Also Read:
Patrick Mahomes ACL Injury: Sports Doctor Sends Clear Message On Miraculous Recovery Time
Patrick Mahomes Never Won a Heisman, but His College Football Legacy Continues To Grow
