The Kansas City Chiefs’ 2025 playoff hopes came to an end with a crushing 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, December 14, but even more devastating is the knee injury quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered in the closing minutes.
“An MRI has confirmed that Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes sustained a torn ACL in his left knee in today’s game,” the Chiefs announced in a statement via X after the game. “Patrick and the club are currently exploring surgical options.”
Mahomes’ torn ACL has officially ended his season with three regular season games to go, and it has put his status for the start of 2026 in doubt as well.
“Don’t know why this had to happen,” Mahomes, 30, wrote via X on Sunday night. “And not going to lie, [it] hurts. But all we can do now is [trust] in God and attack every single day over and over again. Thank you, Chiefs kingdom, for always supporting me and for everyone who has reached out and sent prayers. I [will] be back stronger than ever.”
The recovery timeline for an ACL tear can vary greatly, meaning the Chiefs’ quarterback could be ready to go to begin next season or miss significant time as Kansas City tries to rebound from a disappointing 2025.
The Chiefs have not yet revealed the grade of Mahomes’ ACL tear, making it even more difficult to project. A Grade 1 ACL injury means the ligament is “mildly stretched,” according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. A Grade 2 is a partial tear and Grade 3 is a complete tear.
Tom Christ of the Motion Stability Physical Therapy Group shared his opinion via X, under the assumption that Mahomes will undergo surgery in early January.
“[It] would put week 1 of 2026 about 8-8.5ish months from time of surgery,” Christ wrote. “Would be extremely fast for Mahomes to play in week 1 next year. Some players have returned that fast [Chris Godwin] so not impossible, but fast. Any potential additional tissues needing healing would slow rehab even more.”
Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ wide receiver Godwin, 29, tore his ACL and MCL on December 19, 2021 and returned for the start of the 2022 season.
Mahomes’ murky injury timeline also complicates what could already be a difficult decision for tight end Travis Kelce. Kelce, 36, openly contemplated retirement last winter after an underwhelming 2024 season and has yet to announce his decision for 2026. He and Mahomes have been teammates since the quarterback broke into the league in 2017 and the two have become close friends, even opening a restaurant together in Kansas City.
Kelce left Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday without speaking to the media.
“Sorry guys, it’s not the time,” he told reporters. “I’ll catch you guys during the week.”
Defensive tackle Chris Jones stayed in the locker room after the game to reflect on the Chiefs missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
“Success is rented every year,” he said. “Sometimes it don’t go the way you planned for it to go. I think we learned a lot this year.”
He added, “We can be mad at ourselves, and we can ask God why. But at times, it’s a lesson that you’re being taught along the journey. We’d be selfish to ask God why. Why right now? Why this? We more so [have] to understand it and build from it.”
