RM The Kansas City Chiefs face a major decision as they head into an unusually extended offseason.

Potentially needing a new quarterback to start the 2026 season while Patrick Mahomes recovers from a severe injury.

Although the team has not provided a concrete timeline for Mahomes’ return, the severity of his injury—a torn ACL and LCL—could keep him sidelined until early 2026. If this is the case, the Chiefs will need to find a quarterback to step in, particularly since backup Gardner Minshew’s contract is expiring at the end of the current year. One potential target for the Chiefs could be veteran Kirk Cousins, who might be available on the open market.

While Mahomes is expected to make a comeback at some point early in the season, the Chiefs could be in the market for a short-term solution to hold the fort until then. One viable option could be Cousins, who has struggled during his two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons but could still provide reliable play in the interim. As noted by Bleacher Report’s Adam Wells, the Falcons could cut Cousins to save as much as $35 million in cap space, as his performance has not lived up to expectations since his four-year, $180 million extension with Atlanta in 2024.

The Falcons are also facing their own injury concerns, with Michael Penix sidelined for the season after surgery. Their decision to draft Penix in the first round has only complicated Cousins’ future with the team. If the Falcons decide to part ways with Cousins, the Chiefs could offer him an opportunity to start for a year or more as a temporary solution while Mahomes continues his recovery.

With three games left in the current season, the Chiefs also have the chance to evaluate whether Minshew could be a viable option moving forward. However, there’s still optimism that Mahomes could return before the season’s start. According to the team’s head athletic trainer, Rick Burkholder, the expected recovery timeline for Mahomes is around nine months, which could mean a return in September or possibly a little earlier or later.

Burkholder emphasized that each player recovers at their own pace, but he’s confident in Mahomes’ commitment to his rehab. “His mindset is different from most,” Burkholder said. “He’s extremely disciplined, always in at 6 a.m. and the last one to leave. He’ll attack his rehab with the same intensity.”

Ultimately, the Chiefs are preparing for a potential quarterback change in 2026, but they remain hopeful that Mahomes will be back in action sooner rather than later.