Patrick Mahomes' ACL Injury: Implications for His Future with the Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs' playoff aspirations were dashed following a narrow 16-13 defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers on December 14. However, the more pressing concern is the knee injury sustained by quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the game's final moments.
In a statement released via X, the Chiefs confirmed, “An MRI has confirmed that Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes sustained a torn ACL in his left knee in today’s game. Patrick and the club are currently exploring surgical options.”
This injury effectively concludes Mahomes' season with three regular-season games remaining, casting doubt on his availability for the start of the 2026 season.
“Don’t know why this had to happen,” Mahomes expressed on X 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 varies significantly, leaving open the possibility that Mahomes could return for the next season or face an extended rehabilitation period as Kansas City seeks to recover from a disappointing 2025.
Details regarding the severity of Mahomes' ACL tear remain undisclosed, complicating predictions about his recovery. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, a Grade 1 injury indicates mild stretching of the ligament, while a Grade 2 represents a partial tear, and a Grade 3 signifies a complete tear.
Tom Christ from the Motion Stability Physical Therapy Group weighed in on the situation via X, suggesting that if Mahomes undergoes surgery in early January, “It would put week 1 of 2026 about 8-8.5ish months from time of surgery. 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.”
Chris Godwin of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers returned to action after tearing both his ACL and MCL in December 2021, making his comeback for the start of the 2022 season.
The uncertainty surrounding Mahomes' injury also complicates matters for tight end Travis Kelce. At 36, Kelce has openly considered retirement following a lackluster 2024 season and has yet to announce his plans for 2026. Having been teammates since Mahomes entered the league in 2017, their bond extends beyond football, including co-owning a restaurant in Kansas City.
Kelce departed Arrowhead Stadium without addressing the media. “Sorry guys, it’s not the time,” he told reporters. “I’ll catch you guys during the week.”
Meanwhile, defensive tackle Chris Jones remained in the locker room post-game, reflecting on the Chiefs' absence from the playoffs for the first time since 2014. “Success is rented every year,” he remarked. “Sometimes it don’t go the way you planned for it to go. I think we learned a lot this year.”
Jones 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.”
