Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is expected to make his return from injury in Week 1 against the Broncos on “Monday Night Football.”

“We love it,” tight end Evan Engram said. “That’s kind of our mentality. Just tell us when and where, and we’ll be ready to go.”

It wasn’t clear if the two-time NFL MVP would be available until possibly October. That’s because Mahomes underwent surgery in December to repair torn ligaments in his left knee. His ACL injury took place in a Week 15 loss to the Chargers.

Mahomes sped through his recovery and worked with the first-team offense in training camp. He did not play in the preseason out of planned caution. That means Mahomes will likely debut in his 10th NFL season Sept. 14 against the Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium.

“We’re gonna be a new version of the Chiefs that goes out there and dominates the same way the old one did,” Mahomes told fans earlier this week at a kickoff luncheon in Kansas City.

The Broncos will not alter their expectations for Mahomes based on his recent injury. He is 13-2 in all-time meetings against Denver. Yet it seems the Kansas City prestige is starting to fade. The Broncos have won three straight games against the Chiefs.

“We’re preparing for (Mahomes) at his best,” Payton said. “We know how talented he is and I’m sure he’s attacked the rehab the way Bo (Nix) has with completely different injuries. That’s kind of our approach to it.”

Mahomes will turn 31 years old later this month. The Chiefs finished 6-11 last season and were supplanted by the Broncos as AFC West champions. Mahomes still garners the respect of elite NFL defensive linemen like Zach Allen.

“Everybody knows how athletic (Mahomes) is,” Allen said. “He takes that big drop, so there’s definitely more distance between you and him than normal. They have a really good O-line. They’re really good at creating escape lanes if he needs them. But obviously, everybody knows how good he is in the pocket. So, it’s as big of a challenge as there is in the league.”

The Broncos in training camp emphasized a fast start to the regular season. They will be tested in Week 1 against a familiar division opponent.

“I think it’s going to be really cool, definitely get the season going,” Allen said. “It’s good we have at least a little extra time to prepare for such a good opponent and to do it on primetime is really cool. Division games are awesome, and the history between the two organizations amps it up even more. I’m really excited.”