Chiefs Not Expected to Play NFL Season-Opener vs. Seahawks amid Patrick Mahomes Injury, Owner Says

The Kansas City Chiefs are slated to play the reigning NFL champion Seattle Seahawks on the road in 2026, but co-owner Clark Hunt isn't expecting that game to fall in Week 1.

Hunt cited the ongoing recovery of quarterback Patrick Mahomes from a torn ACL as a complicating factor.

"I don't think that's on the table anymore," he told reporters Monday. "I think from a league standpoint, there would be some concern whether [Patrick Mahomes] would be ready to go."

Last week, Chiefs coach Andy Reid told NFL Media's Judy Battista that Mahomes is "doing great" as he continues his rehab. Still, he has no idea when the QB will be fully cleared.

"He spends a ton of time in the building," Reid said. "... 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."

Back in January, Mahomes said playing in Week 1 is his goal. However, it's too early to project that far out and state whether the two-time MVP will be on the field in the opener.

By acquiring Justin Fields, Kansas City has already planned for the possibility he's out, and the move underlined the uncertain nature of the situation.

From the NFL's perspective, a battle between the Seahawks and Chiefs will be a major occasion. That's a little less true if Fields is filling in for Mahomes. Why take the chance for a showpiece like the first game of the year?

This past season, the league had the Philadelphia Eagles kick off their title defense against one of their biggest rivals, the Dallas Cowboys. Adopting a similar tactic again is complicated by the fact the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers are playing in Australia in Week 1.