Chiefs hopeful Patrick Mahomes (toe) is ready by June

Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes is on track to return from toe surgery in time to participate in the Chiefs’ minicamp in June, general manager Brett Veach said Monday.

Mahomes, 25, underwent surgery for turf toe on Feb. 10.

“It’s a three-month recovery, so we’re hopeful (he returns) somewhere around that mandatory minicamp, if we have it,” Veach said. “We certainly think by training camp he’ll be ready to go and we’ll be smart with him.”

Mahomes injured his left big toe in the first quarter of Kansas City’s 22-17 divisional playoff victory against the Cleveland Browns on Jan. 17.

He had one of the worst games of his NFL career in the 31-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV, completing 26 of 49 passes for 270 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. He rushed five times for 33 yards and was sacked three times.

Also Monday, Veach said the Chiefs are hopeful starting tackles Mitchell Schwartz (back) and Eric Fischer (Achilles tendon) will be ready for training camp following offseason surgeries.

“I would probably say Pat’s ahead of them just because of that type of injury and a quicker recovery,” Veach said. “Hopefully we’ll have all three ready to go by training camp.”

Mahomes is 38-8 as a starter for the Chiefs, earning three Pro Bowl selections and the 2018 MVP award since he was drafted in the first round (10th overall) in 2017.

Chiefs RT Mitchell Schwartz undergoes back surgery

Kansas City Chiefs right tackle Mitchell Schwartz underwent back surgery on Wednesday and said that his “recovery process isn’t too long.”

Schwartz posted pictures of himself in a hospital gown and face mask prior to the procedure on various social media accounts.

“Injury update: I’m getting surgery today,” he wrote. “I was hoping to recover enough to get back for playoffs/Super Bowl but that didn’t happen. It’s time to address the issue. The recovery process isn’t too long, which is nice. Looking forward to a healthy 2021!”

Schwartz, 31, had his streak of 134 consecutive regular-season starts end after leaving the Week 6 game against the Buffalo Bills with the back injury. It turned out to be season-ending even though Schwartz delayed surgery in case he could return for the postseason.

Schwartz played his first four NFL seasons with the Cleveland Browns (2012-15) before joining Kansas City as a free agent.

He earned first-team All-Pro honors with the Chiefs in 2018.

Kansas City lost 31-9 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Super Bowl earlier this month. The Chiefs had trouble protecting quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the contest with left tackle Eric Fisher (Achilles) and Schwartz both sidelined.

Patrick Mahomes early favorite to win 2021 NFL MVP award

The dust has barely settled from Super Bowl LV and all eyes have turned back to Patrick Mahomes.

Despite seeing his Kansas City Chiefs come up short in the big game last week, Mahomes has been installed as the early favorite to win NFL Most Valuable Player honors for the 2021 season.

Mahomes, who won the award in 2018, is listed at +500 by DraftKings.

Mahomes, 25, is expected to be motivated after throwing for 4,740 yards and 38 touchdowns during the regular season before enduring one of the worst games of his NFL career in last Sunday’s 31-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He completed 26 of 49 passes for 270 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions in Super Bowl LV.

Reigning NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers resides at +800 to capture his fourth such award.

Rodgers received 44 votes to earn his third career MVP award (2011, 2014) on Feb. 6. Rodgers led the league with 48 touchdown passes, a 70.7 percent completion rate and a 121.5 rating.

Fellow quarterbacks Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills) and Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks) are both listed at +1300 to win the 2021 NFL MVP.

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is fifth on the list at +1500 following his trade from the Detroit Lions.

Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady of the Buccaneers sits at +1600 to win his fourth NFL MVP honor, while Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has the same odds to capture his second in three years.

The first non-quarterbacks on the list are Tennessee Titans bulldozer Derrick Henry and fellow running back Christian McCaffrey of the Carolina Panthers. Both are at +3300.

Yahoo Sports NFL writer Terez Paylor dies at 37

Yahoo Sports senior NFL writer Terez Paylor died unexpectedly Tuesday at 37 years old.

“We are heartbroken to learn that our friend and teammate Terez Paylor has passed away,” Yahoo Sports editor-in-chief Johnny Ludden said in a statement. “Terez was a dogged, thoughtful reporter to many who knew him in the NFL. To us, he was a friend who always had a warm smile and a kind word. He cared deeply about his family, was passionate about his work and remained intensely proud of his Detroit and Kansas City roots. Our sympathy is with Terez’s family and everyone who knew and cared about him.”

Paylor joined Yahoo Sports in 2018 after 12 years spent at the Kansas City Star. He covered the Kansas City Chiefs for five seasons.

“Hearing the news of Terez’s passing is heart wrenching,” the Chiefs communications team said in a statement. “He was so young and full of life, he always wanted to do right by people. … He was a true professional and a great man with a bright future ahead of him.”

Paylor graduated from Howard University in 2006. He was one of 48 voting members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

“While we are shocked and saddened by Terez Paylor’s sudden passing, we also celebrate his extraordinary life that touched so many,” Ebony Reed, his fiancee, said in a statement. “Terez was an exceptional journalist whose passion for football made him a respected voice. His legacy will leave an enduring impact on sports journalism, the NFL, the Kansas City Chiefs, and their fans.

“More important, Terez was a devoted son, grandson, brother, an adoring fiance, and a wonderful friend to so many. To know him was to love him. He will be dearly missed.”