Quarterback Patrick Mahomes spoke with the media on Thursday afternoon for the first time since suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 15, providing a glimpse into his rehab process and his outlook on the offseason.

Here's what stood out from his media session.

1. Mahomes provided an update on his injury rehab, which began late last month.

Mahomes, who underwent surgery on December 15, discussed his progress so far as the three-time Super Bowl MVP begins his journey back to the field.

"Rehab is going great so far," Mahomes said. "I've been doing all of it here in Kansas City, and [Assistant Athletic Trainer] Julie [Frymyer] has been crushing it [and] pushing me. The doctor gives you goals to [reach], and I just try to maximize those. They [have to] hold me back because I always want to go a little bit further, so it's been going great."

With that progress in mind, Mahomes shared his goal – albeit a tentative one – when it comes to returning to action next season.

"Obviously, I want to be ready for Week 1. The doctor said I could be, [and while we] can't predict what's going to happen throughout the process, that's my goal," Mahomes said. "I'll try to prepare myself to play in Week 1, and have no restrictions. So, hopefully [I'll] be able to do some stuff in OTAs, and then get to training camp and be able to do a lot of stuff. It's a long process, but I'm excited for it."

2. Mahomes' extensive working relationship with Assistant Athletic Trainer Julie Frymyer is a major positive as this process unfolds.

Mahomes has spoken at length about Frymyer in the past, often crediting her with leading his injury rehabs in previous seasons. Notably, Frymyer was one of the primary individuals involved in managing Mahomes' high ankle sprain during the 2022-23 postseason, ultimately putting the veteran quarterback in a position to lead Kansas City to a world championship.

Now under Frymyer's direction once again, Mahomes discussed the importance of that mutual trust on Thursday.

"That relationship is extremely important because what I've found throughout this process is that not every day is going to feel amazing," Mahomes said. "Some days, you're going to be sore. Some days, you're going to feel stiff. So, you have to have someone that you trust that's going to get the best out of you, that's going to keep you safe, and that's going to push you. Some days, I want to get in there and crush rehab. Some days, I just want to get through it, but she doesn't let you have a 'get through it' day. She pushes you to be the best every single day."

Mahomes added that he'll complete the majority of his rehab in Kansas City.

3. Looking ahead, Mahomes plans on participating in OTAs in some capacity.

OTAs, or "Organized Team Activities," are right around the corner in late April. Mahomes will be right in the middle of his rehab as those practices begin, and while he obviously won't be a full participant physically, he'll be doing everything he can to process any schematic changes the Chiefs undergo offensively.

"More than anything, I think it's just being in there – being in the room," Mahomes said. "[I'll] be on the field as much as they'll let me, and when I'm not able to take the reps, [it's a matter of] getting those mental reps behind the play and seeing everything develop. The coaches will put me in the right position in order to do that."

Mahomes' situation also means that "Phase 1" of the offseason training program will look a little bit different this year. The Chiefs have conducted the opening portion of the offseason training program virtually in recent offseasons while Mahomes invited his pass-catchers to an informal "camp" in Texas.

That annual gathering in Texas won't take place this time around, but with Mahomes rehabbing in Kansas City, he fully expects his teammates to join him in the building as soon as possible.

"I can't speak for exactly what [Head] Coach [Andy] Reid is going to do, but I would expect us to be here a little bit earlier just with me already being here," Mahomes said. "I've talked to some of the receivers already, and I think that's the mindset that we have – we want to be in the building and getting back to it…The guys are hungry to get back out there."