Patrick Mahomes Cleared for Chiefs Training Camp, Eyes Week 1 Return Against Broncos.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has officially been cleared to participate fully in training camp after recovering from the torn ACL and LCL he suffered in his left knee last December. The Chiefs' medical staff, along with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Dan Cooper, cleared Mahomes earlier this week following months of rehabilitation. The quarterback arrived at training camp on Friday saying he feels stronger than ever and is eager to return to the practice field. "I feel stronger than I've ever felt, as far as strength and lifting weights," Mahomes said. "I feel amazing. I'm excited just to be able to play football." Mahomes spent much of the offseason working through an intensive rehabilitation program in Kansas City. Before receiving full clearance, he demonstrated to the team's medical staff that he could safely run, cut, and change directions without limitations.

Although he will continue wearing a compression sleeve and knee brace during practices, Mahomes is expected to take his normal workload with the first-team offense throughout training camp. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid indicated there are currently no plans to significantly reduce Mahomes' practice reps. "He's been working so hard that you have a pretty good feel that he's in a good place," Reid said. "We've got to see how things go." The return gives Kansas City its full complement of offensive stars, as Mahomes will once again work alongside running back Kenneth Walker III, tight end Travis Kelce, and wide receivers Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Tyquan Thornton.

Mahomes has made it clear that his primary goal throughout the recovery process has been being ready for the Chiefs' regular-season opener on Sept. 14 against the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football.

Rather than simply returning to the field, the two-time MVP said he wants to improve areas of his game, including pocket movement, quicker decision-making, and faster releases. "I want Coach Reid to call it like we're going to call it in the regular season," Mahomes said. "That's going to be the best way for me to prepare myself. I want to go out there and test the knee." One decision still remains before Week 1: whether Mahomes will appear during the preseason. Throughout his nine-year NFL career, he has never missed an entire preseason, but Kansas City will evaluate his progress before determining if game action is necessary. "I'm a competitor, so on game day I'm going to want to be out there," Mahomes said. "But I understand the process of getting myself ready to play in the regular season is more important." During his recovery, Mahomes also leaned on advice from former NFL stars Tom Brady and Tyrann Mathieu, both of whom successfully returned from ACL injuries during their careers. While he acknowledged the recovery process is ongoing, Mahomes believes he is ready to lead Kansas City's offense once again. "The process isn't over," Mahomes said. "It'll be something I'll probably be dealing with throughout the rest of my career. But I feel comfortable now being able to go out there and run the offense the way it's supposed to be run." With training camp officially underway, Mahomes now enters what he described as one of the most important camps of his career as he prepares for another championship run and a highly anticipated Week 1 matchup against AFC West rival Denver.