Ryan Fitzpatrick had a 17-year career as an NFL player from 2005 to 2021 after being drafted in the seventh round. He played for nine teams in total, and the Buffalo Bills from 2009 to 2012. He publicly endorsed Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen in the past. But his appearance on The Rich Eisen Show to discuss the 2026 MVP race came with a surprising twist. 

Instead of selecting Allen, Fitzpatrick chose Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs as his favorite MVP pick for the 2026 season and explained why.

"To me, I'm looking at Mahomes," he said on the July 1 episode of the podcast. "I kind of think that he's the favorite in my mind to win MVP this year because, you know, the injury and how much he's had to put into getting healthy this offseason. I see him as my favorite for MVP this season."

Fitzpatrick's vote of confidence for Mahomes on the podcast wasn't about the stats. He believes recovering from injury and facing offseason criticism could give Mahomes the much-needed motivation to prove himself as he has followed this path before, too.

Mahomes believes he'll be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 season, and the Chiefs' recent comments indicate his recovery may be ahead of schedule.

From 2018 to 2022, he was among the league's most efficient passers, as he won two MVP awards and reached multiple Super Bowls.

While the MVP conversation has picked up the buzz, here comes a positive update.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes on ACL rehab and road back to 2026 season

The summer found Mahomes working through his rehabilitation after suffering a complete tear of the left ACL and LCL against the Los Angeles Chargers in mid-December. With the season opener approaching, he has nearly seven months of recovery.

"It's going good. I'm almost seven months out now. It's a lot of work, but I've gotten used to it now. Now it's just being consistent and doing it every day. And it helps having people that I like who are pushing me to do that," Mahomes told Cam Wolf of GQ, June 29, 2026.

Even though he is working hard now, preparing for the upcoming season, Mahomes is focused on February.

"Ever since I've been in the NFL, I always tell my wife, 'I'm not planning anything until after February. Don't put a commercial before the end of February, [until after] the Super Bowl.' That's my mindset," he added, via Cam Wolf of GQ, June 29, 2026.

Mahomes spent this season working at the Chiefs' practice facility with longtime trainer Julie Frymyer.

What do you think Fitzpatrick's take on Mahomes being the MVP frontrunner for 2026? Let us know in the comments.

Read more at Quarter Back Central.

Written by

Abhay Bharti

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar