Patrick Mahomes’ recovery takes a big step forward as Chiefs fans notice a clear change

The Kansas City Chiefs fan base finally got something solid to look at this week. Patrick Mahomes was seen walking on his own at a public event in San Francisco. No crutches, no brace and no visible limp.

For a quarterback coming off ACL and LCL surgery in December, that image mattered more than any update on paper.

Photos and videos from the House on Quince gala in San Francisco, shared by guests and local attendees, quickly made their way online and sparked fresh optimism.What stood out was not just that Mahomes showed up. He stood, walked, talked, and stayed for hours. This was not a quick wave and exit. Just weeks after surgery, being comfortable on his feet in a crowded room is a meaningful sign.

For Chiefs fans, it felt like the first real moment where the recovery stopped being abstract and started to feel real.

Patrick Mahomes follows a careful, step-by-step plan back to the Kansas City Chiefs lineup

While the California appearance caught attention, the real work is happening back in Kansas City. Mahomes is rehabbing daily under the watch of assistant athletic trainer Julie Frymyer, someone he already trusts from past injury recoveries. That trust matters now. ACL and LCL repairs demand patience, timing, and discipline.

The plan is simple and strict. First comes strength. Then balance. After that, controlled movement. Only later will football-style actions return. According to people close to the team’s medical process, doctors have laid out clear checkpoints for each phase. Mahomes cannot move forward until each stage is cleared. This approach lowers risk and protects the long-term future of the franchise quarterback.

Inside the Chiefs facility, the focus is staying ahead without rushing.

Mahomes has said in full quotes that Frymyer “pushes me, but also keeps me where I need to be.” That balance is key. The goal is to have him ready for football activity without creating setbacks that could cost time later.As the offseason program approaches at Kansas City Chiefs headquarters near Arrowhead Stadium, the conversation has shifted.Fans are no longer asking if Mahomes will be back. They are asking when doctors will give the final green light. Based on how he looks right now, that answer may come sooner than expected.