Chiefs To Begin Season In Prime Time For Fourth Straight Year

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Mahomes might even participate in organized team activities (OTAs), though that’s basically a non-contact passing camp.

“He is in a good position to be able to do some things,” Reid said. “He’s doing a lot of stuff right now.”

Quarterback Bo Nix had been expected to be ready for training camp after breaking a bone in his ankle on Jan. 18 during the AFC playoff win against the Buffalo Bills, but complicating matters is that it was revealed he underwent a second procedure on his surgically repaired right ankle during a follow-up visit with Dr. Norman Waldrop III in April.

Broncos head coach Sean Payton, though, downplayed the operation.

“He had a recheck that was scheduled,” Payton said. “He’s doing great. We’re excited about his progress. Nothing to report.”

Though the quarterbacks’ health is similarly in doubt, they are on opposite sides of the financial spectrum.

Mahomes is in the midst of a 10-year, $450 million contract — the longest and most lucrative deal in the NFL in terms of duration and overall value.

Meanwhile, Nix is entering the third year of his four-year, $18.6 million rookie contract.

Clash Of AFC West Titans

Mahomes missed the last game between the two, which Denver won 20-13 on Christmas, representing the third straight game the Broncos won against the rival Chiefs.

It was part of a changing of the guard after the Chiefs won nine straight AFC West titles before getting dethroned by the Broncos last year.

Before the Chiefs’ dominant run, the Broncos had won the AFC West five straight years, and just prior to that, the Chiefs won the division in 2010, meaning the last time a team beside the Chiefs or Broncos won the AFC West was in 2009.

The Chiefs aim to reclaim the division, and they can begin that push by winning the Week One contest on Monday Night Football.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com