The Kansas City Chiefs will face the Denver Broncos on 'Monday Night Football' to conclude Week 1 on September 14, 2026. This matchup features key players returning from injuries and the debut of new team members.
Key points
Chiefs and Broncos to play on Monday Night Football
Game scheduled for September 14, 2026
Patrick Mahomes returning from a torn ACL
Bo Nix returning from a fractured ankle
Kenneth Walker III and Jaylen Waddle making debuts
Kansas City ChiefsDenver BroncosPatrick MahomesBo Nix
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The Week 1 finale is set.
Leaks and announcements continue to trickle out in advance of the 2026 NFL schedule release, filling up the fall calendar with plenty of football games. ESPN and ABC will play a big role in that calendar, which begins in Week 1 on Monday, Sept. 14 and will run all the way to Super Bowl 61 this year.
Patrick Mahomes hopes to make his return from a torn ACL on that September night. Bo Nix should be making his return from a fractured ankle that ended his playoff run after a divisional round win. Fans will also get a look at the Super Bowl 60 MVP, Kenneth Walker III, for the first time in a Chiefs' jersey. The same can also be said of Jaylen Waddle, who will make his Broncos debut.
"He's in our building every single day," Veach said in an interview withĀ SiriusXM NFL Radio. "And even when he goes away for a few days, say to Dallas for a weekend with his family, he takes one of our trainers with him.
"So, needless to say, heās way ahead of schedule ... weāre in a really good place right now."
The updates continue to be positive for the star quarterback, who will now have a few extra days to get ready for the season opener.
Bo Nix injury update
Nix had a second ankle procedure after suffering a fractured ankle in the divisional round, but his Week 1 status doesn't appear to be in jeopardy.
"[Nix]'s doing great. He'll be well ahead of time for training camp," Payton said. "I think there's a good chance we see him in this offseason program in June. We're gonna be the ones kind of holding him back."
That update came on the heels of a somewhat concerning update on April 28, when it was revealed Nix had a clean-up procedure on the injured ankle. While reports indicated that was an expected follow-up, it didn't stop many from speculating.
Nix is still expected to be ready for training camp and the regular season, even if the Broncos are cautious with the quarterback during offseason workouts.
