Patrick Mahomes wanted the help of the NFL GOAT.
The Chiefs quarterback revealed Friday that he consulted with Tom Brady after his ACL injury in December, as the legendary quarterback previously dealt with a “very similar injury.”
Brady tore the ACL and MCL in his left knee in 2008 before leading the Patriots to the playoffs the following year, and Mahomes will look to do the same after going down in Week 15 of last season against the Chargers.
Mahomes — who has been cleared to practice roughly seven months after his ACL injury — also told reporters that he spoke with Tyrann Mathieu and Zach Ertz, who have dealt with ACL injuries as well.
“It’s just talking to guys that have been through this process and just saying how you have to stay on top of it,” Mahomes said.
“It’s a long process. I remember sitting on the table and watching us play those last few games and how much it hurt me, but I knew that if I continued to work, I could be at this spot where I get cleared for practice. Now I’m just trying to get to that spot where I’m cleared to play in the regular season on that first week.”
Ertz suffered an ACL injury just one week before Mahomes did last season, and the Chiefs passer said he and the tight end had “competitions” with one another while they were rehabbing.
“It would start off as how much deadlift — what you’re deadlifting, where you’re at — and then [we would] send little videos,” he said. “He’s jumping and doing certain acceleration things, and I’m sending him next week doing cutting and stuff like that.”
Mahomes will be raring to go for the Chiefs after they slumped to a 6-11 finish and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
Kansas City began the year 5-3 but went just 1-8 the rest of the way as Mahomes ended the year on the sideline.
Mahomes will be able to ramp up during training camp and the preseason before the Chiefs host the Broncos in Week 1 on Sept. 14.
