Andy Reid: Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes fully cleared for training camp participation

Patrick Mahomes has been cleared for full participation in training camp, Andy Reid said.

The Kansas City Chiefs coach took the podium Friday to start training camp with another encouraging sign for the Chiefs' recovering quarterback.

Just over seven months since Mahomes suffered season-ending ACL and LCL tears on Dec. 14, doctors have given Mahomes full clearance for camp.

"Clearance to practice and do all the different periods of practice we have," Reid said.

Doctors and athletic trainers will monitor Mahomes' progress and response to the work daily.

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But "right now, he's been cleared to go ahead and participate fully," Reid said.

The NFL schedule makers bet that Mahomes would heal quickly. 

The Chiefs host their division rival Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football in Week 1, the prime-time matchup featuring two rehabilitating quarterbacks in Mahomes and Bo Nix, who fractured his ankle Jan. 17 in a divisional-round playoff win over the Buffalo Bills.

Mahomes said "it was always the goal" to practice when training camp began, while noting the distinction between practicing in training camp — when quarterbacks typically wear red jerseys prohibiting contact — and playing against a live rush. Mahomes' roughly seven-month return was far quicker than the nine-to-12-month ACL rehabilitation process the NFL has often seen. After setting a series of offseason checkpoints, Mahomes received clearance from his surgeon (and the Cowboys’ team doctor) Dan Cooper "like two days" before camp, he said.

"It's a long process," Mahomes said. "The process isn't over. It'll be something I'll probably deal with for the next few years of my career and throughout the rest of my career."

But he reached a point of comfort operating the Chiefs' offense, Mahomes said. And the lifting and strength work that rehabilitation dictated has left Mahomes feeling "stronger than I've ever felt.”

"Now it's just about getting that quarterback stuff down," he said, referring to moving in the pocket, making quick movements and reacting.

Mahomes asked advice from players who had suffered similar injuries, including longtime New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, tight end Zach Ertz and defensive back Tyrann Mathieu.

Mahomes said he hopes the recovery will help him return to his peak after the statistically worst season of his eight years starting for the Chiefs.

After a rare run of five Super Bowl appearances, and three Super Bowl wins, in a six-year span, Mahomes won just six of 14 starts last season.

He completed 62.7% of his passes last year for 2,587 yards, 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. His 89.6 passer rating was well below his career average of 100.8.

"I feel like I wasn't playing my best football at the end of last year before I got hurt," Mahomes said. "And so I got to find ways to get better, kind of navigating the pocket, running the offense better and getting the ball in my hands and letting other guys make plays. And so I think this injury helped me kind of focus on those little things as I kind of get back to being who I am."

Mahomes hopes the work he's put in will allow him to return not only to quarterbacking as he has, but also to flashing the athleticism that has helped elevate his career.

Participating in training camp will be the next step in Mahomes' return. Preseason play could be the milestone that follows, but Mahomes said "coaches and docs will kind of make that decision for me."

The Chiefs aren't yet guaranteeing that Mahomes will play in Week 1.

But Reid expressed confidence that Mahomes is trending in that direction.

"Listen, I'm optimistic," Reid said. "And I know he is extremely optimistic. But I think you've got to see how things go here. Let's just see where we're at and not making any predictions or anything else.

"Take it day by day and see where it goes."

And when Mahomes does return? Expect to see a slightly different style than he showed last season. Mahomes said he knows he's chased big plays before rather than taking checkdowns. Getting the ball out quickly will elevate on his list of priorities this year. 

"I plan to be able to do everything I did before," Mahomes said. "I've been moving around and doing that stuff, but I'm going to obviously try to take care of myself a little bit better than I did last season. I think I ran a little bit too much last season in general, so I'll try to be better with that."