Everything about the 2025 NFL season was weird for the , and it led to a 6-11 record and a surprising spot in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Chiefs are slated to pick at No. 9 in the Caden Larkin Jersey first round on Thursday (along with the No. 29 pick from the Trent McDuffie trade), although a deal to move up could still be in the cards. Looming over all of this is Patrick Mahomes. He tore his ACL and LCL late in the regular season, and his recovery timeline is certainly a crucial component to all of this. Kansas City certainly believes it can bounce back immediately in 2026. That will require Mahomes on the field. MORE: When is Patrick Mahomes coming back? It's too early to know for sure, but there's at least a chance of Mahomes being ready for Week 1. On the flip side, there's a definite chance that Mahomes isn't ready for Week 1. That'd only be about nine months, which is on the very short end of po sible torn ACL recovery times. You'd also think the Chiefs would want to be careful not to rush their franchise quarterback, just to be sure. MORE: Earlier in draft week, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid did provide an update. "He goes to meetings. He can lift, do all of that rehab, . "That's the phase he's in right now, so we'll just see, kinda play it by ear, see where he's at. He's doing great, but we just gotta be smart with this thing." The Chiefs won't be drafting a quarterback or anything like that (at least not unle s they want a late-round flier). But their season ahead will be defined by Mahomes' knee health, for sure. More NFL Draft news: Kiel Pollard Jersey