Sean Payton prepares for Patrick Mahomes in Denver Broncos' season opener

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton is preparing his roster for a full-strength Kansas City Chiefs team in their upcoming Week 1 matchup. While Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is recovering from an ACL and LCL tear sustained last season, Payton stated he is operating under the assumption that the veteran signal-caller will be at his best. Mahomes underwent surgery in December and is currently projected for a return to the field around September 14. Payton emphasized that his focus remains on team strategy rather than speculating on the availability of individual opponents. He noted that early-season games present unique challenges because teams often introduce new tactical wrinkles before a reliable library of game footage is established. The Broncos swept the Chiefs in the 2025 regular season, though Mahomes missed the final meeting between the two division rivals on Christmas night.

• 12:03 PMYahoo Sports — Sean Payton on Patrick Mahomes' status impacting his preparation