Chiefs vs. Broncos live updates: Patrick Mahomes makes his return on 'Monday Night Football'

The Super Bowl LX MVP has a new home. After winning a title with Seattle last season, Walker cashed in as a free agent, inking a three-year, $45 million deal with Kansas City. That $14.4 million in AAV made Walker the highest-paid free agent RB in NFL history. He's coming off a 2025 season where he notched career highs in scrimmage yards (1,309) and yards per touch (5.2). The Chiefs hope Walker will give them some explosiveness out of the backfield that has been lacking in recent years. 

One of the more notable offseason trades was executed by the Broncos, sending a first-round pick to the Dolphins in exchange for standout receiver Jaylen Waddle. He'll now serve as arguably the top option for Bo Nix in the Denver passing attack. 

One of the biggest factors in this game could very well be the play of the Chiefs offensive tackles. Josh Simmons, who was penciled in as the starting left tackle, is out due to a back injury, which is forcing undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson in as the blindside protector for Patrick Mahomes. Meanwhile, Jaylon Moore is starting at right tackle. Moore gave up three sacks and 23 pressures last year despite playing just 42% of the offensive snaps in spot appearances. Against this lethal Denver pass rush, this could very well determine the game. 

While it's largely the same familiar faces in Denver, there is a slight (but possibly significant) change on offense. This offseason, Sean Payton promoted Davis Webb to offensive coordinator after he had spent the previous three seasons as the Broncos QB coach. Webb will now call plays instead of Payton, so it'll be interesting to see if there are any new wrinkles or if it remains the status quo. 

• QB Garrett Nussmeier (emergency third quarterback)
• TE Jared Wiley
• OT Diego Pounds
• OT Josh Simmons
• DT Bryson Eason
• LB Jack Pyburn
• S Chamarri Conner

It was night and day for both teams in their ability to pull off one-score games in 2025. After going a perfect 11-0 in one-score games in 2024, the Chiefs were 1-9 in that setting last season. Meanwhile, the Broncos were 11-2 in one-score games in 2025 after going 1-6 in 2024. 

It was nine months to the DAY that Patrick Mahomes suffered his torn ACL and LCL, and he'll be making his return on the "Monday Night Football" stage. It's truly a remarkable comeback for the Chiefs QB, and it's not surprising to see him as the betting favorite for Comeback Player of the Year. But how will he look in Week 1? Specifically, I'm curious to see if Mahomes' mobility is back where it needs to be. Can he extend plays in the pocket against a stout Broncos pass rush? He'll need to.