But a big reason for Chiefs hope is that Patrick Mahomes, who is recovering from a torn ACL, is on schedule to return Week 1, which is ideal. Exactly how healthy Patrick will be, then, is unknown, but by all accounts,

Heavy is the head that wears the crown. After the Kansas City Chiefs produced an unprecedented nine-year reign in the AFC West, the Denver Broncos knocked them off the dais in 2025.

Patrick Mahomes has to be healing pretty Taylor Swiftly, don’t you think? Or else why would the NFL bank on its most bankable quarterback, who tore his ACL last December, being ready for one of its most bankable windows (“Monday Night Football”) on one of its most bankable weeks (Week 1) and in one of its most bankable matchups (Broncos-Chiefs)?

With the schedule released, Kansas City Chiefs fans will be hoping they can finally see their star quarterback in action as the team takes on the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead on September 14 in an opening night matchup.

It's five months until the 2026 season opener but Chiefs and Broncos fans are already taking shots at each other.

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Denver will face the Kansas City Chiefs on "Monday Night Football" in Week 1, it was announced Tuesday. The game will air on Monday, Sept. 14 at 6:15 p.m. MT on ABC/ESPN. The location of the game is to be determined.

The Chiefs and Broncos will reportedly open “Monday Night Football” as Patrick Mahomes eyes week one return from injury.

Will the Denver Broncos repeat as AFC West champions? Here's a game-by-game prediction.