Texas Tech Professional Athletes

Texas Tech sent more than 40 alumni into NFL Week 1 — and three of them made sure Lubbock was watching closely.

Mahomes Is Back, and the AFC Knows It

The story of the week was never really in doubt. Patrick Mahomes returned from a torn ACL and LCL to lead Kansas City past Denver 31–10 on Monday Night Football, throwing for 184 yards and two touchdowns, adding a rushing score, and finishing with just one interception. He didn't need to be spectacular — the Chiefs ran the ball behind free-agent acquisition Kenneth Walker III — but he was sharp, composed, and, most importantly, healthy. Before the game, Mahomes had offered a surprisingly calm take on his recovery, telling reporters he always knew he'd be back in time for the opener. The rest of the AFC, particularly Josh Allen and the Bills, reportedly took notice.

Douglas Shines Bright in Miami's Dark Opener

The Dolphins lost 27–13 in Las Vegas, but Caleb Douglas gave the fanbase something to feel good about. The rookie wide receiver out of Texas Tech caught 5 passes for 94 yards in his NFL debut — a performance that drew immediate comparisons to Puka Nacua's breakout first game. Douglas reportedly set a Dolphins franchise record for receiving yards by a rookie in a debut, a remarkable achievement in an otherwise bleak afternoon for Miami's offense. With a rebuilding regime in place under new head coach Jeff Hafley, Douglas looks like one of the few early wins for the new front office.

Teammate Jacob Rodriguez, a rookie linebacker also from Texas Tech, also drew positive reviews in his NFL debut in the same game. A 49ers coach had publicly praised him leading into the season, and he delivered enough to turn heads despite the loss.

Owens Goes Viral in Washington

Tyler Owens didn't show up in the box score the way a quarterback or receiver might — but 18 million views don't lie. The Commanders safety's special teams highlight from Washington's Week 1 game against Philadelphia (a 22–24 loss) tore through social media, with JJ Watt among those publicly raving about the play. Bleacher Report described the reaction as a "sheer ass whupping," quoting observers around the league. Owens is carving out a reputation as a special teams weapon in Washington, and Week 1 just put the rest of the NFL on notice.

The Rest of the Red Raider Roll Call

Several other Tech alumni saw action in Week 1. David Bailey recorded a sack in the Jets' 23–10 win over the Titans in his NFL debut, an auspicious start for the rookie linebacker. Tahj Brooks suited up for Cincinnati in a 33–27 win over Tampa Bay. Tyree Wilson played for New Orleans in a close 30–31 loss to Detroit. Skyler Gill-Howard was active for Detroit in that same game. Austin McNamara handled punting duties for the Jets alongside Bailey. And Broderick Washington Jr. was part of a Ravens defense that throttled Indianapolis 41–23.

It was a Week 1 that served as a full-scale Red Raider reunion — with Mahomes headlining, Douglas emerging, and Owens breaking the internet.

The King's Road Back

Nine months after tearing his ACL and MCL against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 14, 2025, Texas Tech's most famous alumnus is on the verge of one of the most scrutinized comeback stories in recent NFL memory. Patrick Mahomes is expected to start for the Kansas City Chiefs in their Week 1 Monday night showdown against the Denver Broncos — and by every available signal, he intends to make the rest of the league regret counting the days.

All indications out of training camp point to Mahomes being ready. Denver head coach Sean Payton isn't operating under any illusions about what he's walking into. "We're preparing for Patrick Mahomes at his best," Payton said, a candid acknowledgment that the Chiefs' QB isn't expected to be a diminished version of himself. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has stopped short of officially confirming Mahomes' availability, but the message from the Kansas City camp has been consistent: he's on track.

Mahomes himself sent a forceful message to the league as Week 1 approached, signaling that the new-look Chiefs — bolstered by the addition of Kenneth Walker III at running back — are not a team to be taken lightly. Teammate Xavier Worthy echoed the confidence from the receiver room: "When it's time to play, we'll be ready."

Travis Kelce, who cited Mahomes' comeback progress as a major factor in his own decision to return to Kansas City for another season, offered a revealing detail — that what he witnessed during Mahomes' rehab went beyond what the public saw. The implication is clear: Mahomes has been pushing himself at a level that isn't yet fully visible in preseason statistics or highlight packages.

The supporting cast around him carries questions. Kansas City's wide receiver room is described as unpredictable heading into the regular season, and the team is leaning on Walker — acquired this offseason — to provide both rushing production and protection, relieving some of the burden on a quarterback who will be navigating a fully reconstructed knee in live game action for the first time in 2026.

The Mahomes-Reid pairing, long regarded as the gold standard of quarterback-coach duos, has been nudged off the top spot in some 2026 preseason rankings — a development that would have been nearly unthinkable two seasons ago. Whether that's a sign of genuine erosion or simply the recalibrated perception of a team in transition remains to be seen after Week 1.

Brooks Brings the Edge in Miami

Mahomes isn't the only Red Raider with something to prove this week. In Miami, linebacker Jordyn Brooks is channeling a chip-on-the-shoulder mentality heading into the season opener. Brooks declared that the Dolphins need to embrace an "us against the world" mindset in 2026 — positioning himself as an outlier and a vocal leader on a Miami defense with expectations to reset after a difficult stretch.

Owens Making Noise in Washington

In Washington, safety Tyler Owens is drawing attention as one of the undrafted free agent success stories shaping the Commanders' roster outlook under GM Adam Peters. Owens has been cited as part of a UDFA wave that could meaningfully alter the trajectory of Washington's rebuild — a notable platform for the former Red Raider to earn a lasting role heading into the regular season.

The week belongs to Mahomes, but Lubbock's NFL footprint is broader than one quarterback. Watch how it all unfolds Sunday — and Monday night.

The Mahomes Watch

Patrick Mahomes says playing in the Chiefs' season opener against the Denver Broncos on Sept. 14 has "always been the plan" — but the rest of Kansas City isn't quite as certain.

The Texas Tech quarterback is still waiting on full medical clearance after suffering a knee injury in December, and head coach Andy Reid declined to make any firm predictions about Mahomes' Week 1 availability when asked Monday. That measured tone from the sideline stands in contrast to Mahomes' own confidence: he avoided the physically unable to perform list at the start of training camp and has practiced without issue all summer, telling reporters his comfort level improves with every rep.

Still, the situation is uncertain enough that Polymarket — the prediction market platform — quietly withdrew a wager tied to whether Mahomes plays in Week 1, a rare move that underscored just how live the uncertainty remains. If Mahomes can't go, Justin Fields would be in line to start Kansas City's opener.

Preseason Silence, Offseason Maneuvering

Mahomes sat out the Chiefs' preseason finale against the Seahawks on Friday, which was the expected call given both his knee rehab and the team's standard veteran rest protocol — but it did nothing to quiet the noise. Kansas City has been cautious about overexposing its franchise QB before the lights actually come on.

Behind the scenes, the Chiefs moved to shore up Mahomes' protection in a low-risk trade with the Giants, adding an offensive lineman as insurance ahead of the season. Who lines up at right tackle for Week 1 remains an open question, with the competition still unsettled heading into the final week of the preseason.

The broader offensive picture isn't entirely rosy either. CBS Sports ranked Kansas City's wide receiver room as a weak spot for the offense, and analysts have flagged that the Chiefs' unit has trended backward over the past three seasons — even as Mahomes continues to perform at an elite level. ESPN's NFL watchability rankings buried the Chiefs lower than many expected, despite the looming prospect of what could be Mahomes' final season alongside tight end Travis Kelce.

Reasons for Optimism

Not everyone is sounding alarms. One analytical model points to a specific efficiency stat — Mahomes converting at a 65% clip in a key metric — as the foundation for a predicted Kansas City rebound in 2026. If Mahomes is healthy and the offense finds its footing, the argument goes, the Chiefs are built to re-enter powerhouse territory.

For Red Raiders fans, the week is a waiting game. Mahomes has consistently downplayed concern and the reporting suggests he is trending toward taking the field against Denver. But until Andy Reid says the words out loud, Week 1 remains officially unresolved — and the most consequential Texas Tech alumni storyline in the NFL this preseason.