Chiefs' Mahomes expects to play with no limitations in opener - ESPN

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Four days before his much-anticipated return to the field, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes shared that he expects to perform without any limitations Monday night against the Denver Broncos.

Mahomes, 30, will be the Chiefs' starter after he spent the past nine months rehabbing and recovering from the surgery that repaired the torn ACL and LCL in his left knee, an injury that occurred Dec. 14. Since the Chiefs began their training camp seven weeks ago, Mahomes has worked to improve his mobility, doing so without missing any of the team's practices.

«You've got to go out there and be yourself,» Mahomes said Thursday of playing the Broncos, who are projected to have one of the NFL's best defenses. «I've built up the strength [in my knee] and built up all the days of rehab so that I can be myself. I'm going to keep myself out of harms' way, like I always will, not trying to take big hits.

»But I'm a competitor, I signed up for this and I'm going to go out there and play football. That's how I've always rolled, no matter what it is."

Coach Andy Reid reiterated Thursday that the Chiefs' game plan on offense will not look different from previous season-opening games with Mahomes. In camp, Mahomes has executed plays that have needed him to roll out of the pocket in either direction or for him to keep the ball for a speed option.

«He's shown he can do [everything],» Reid said of Mahomes. «We won't hold anything back that we wouldn't normally. He's geared up and ready to go. It's just a matter of getting out there and playing.

»I know he's excited to get going. It's been hard for him to sit there and watch. That's not his style. I'm sure he'll be fired up to get out there and finally be able to play,