Patrick Mahomes Returns With a Win as Chiefs Owner Eyes GOAT

Patrick Mahomes is back. The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback returned from a season-ending ACL tear to lead his team to a commanding 31-10 victory over the Denver Broncos in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season. His opening-drive touchdown run set the tone for a night where the Chiefs defense and a new star running back did the heavy lifting.

Mahomes wasted no time making his presence felt. On the Chiefs' first possession, he scrambled 15 yards for a touchdown, diving into the end zone to give Kansas City an early 6-0 lead on Monday, September 14. The moment was not without controversy, as teammate Travis Kelce appeared to hold a Broncos defender on the play, a non-call that sparked immediate debate. Mahomes' passing was rusty early, completing just two of his first 12 attempts, but he found a rhythm before halftime. He later connected with rookie Emmett Johnson on a key third down in the fourth quarter to set up the game-sealing score. The win improved his career home record against Denver to a perfect 8-0.

While Mahomes' return was the headline, the night belonged to running back Kenneth Walker. In his Chiefs debut, the big-money acquisition rushed for 173 yards and scored two touchdowns, including a 60-yard score. That rushing total was the best by a Kansas City running back in 14 years. The Chiefs defense was equally impressive, containing a potent Broncos offense that was the AFC's No. 1 seed last season. They bailed Mahomes out after a bad interception from his own end zone, limiting Denver to just a field goal. It was a complete team effort that reminded the league of Kansas City's potential.

Ahead of the game, Chiefs owner Clark Hunt framed the 2026 season as part of a larger legacy quest. He highlighted the rare combination of a Hall of Fame coach in Andy Reid and a Hall of Fame quarterback in Mahomes. "Hopefully our run is not over," Hunt said. "We're hoping we can get back, win a few more and hopefully there’s a big debate on who is the greatest of all time." Mahomes himself addressed his health last Thursday, stating he had built up the strength in his knee through rehab to play his normal, competitive style of football.

The financial investment in Mahomes is historic, and his earnings reflect his status as the franchise cornerstone. Despite playing four fewer NFL seasons than tight end Travis Kelce, Mahomes has already earned more than double his teammate's career total. According to contract data, Mahomes has banked $232,004,472 so far and is set to earn $56,750,000 in 2026 alone. His contract runs through 2033, at which point his total career earnings from playing are projected to reach a staggering $736,754,472. Kelce, by comparison, has earned a career total of $111,194,254.

• KEY TAKEAWAYS: Mahomes returned from a 2025 ACL tear to win his Week 1 start. New Chiefs RB Kenneth Walker rushed for 173 yards and 2 TDs in the 31-10 victory. Owner Clark Hunt openly discussed a future GOAT debate for Mahomes.

The victory was a strong first step for a Chiefs team looking to erase the memory of a 6-11 season and a playoff miss. With Mahomes back under center and the defense performing, the pieces are there for another run.