Lead
Patrick Mahomes tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee late in the Kansas City Chiefs 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Kansas City on Sunday, and the two-time MVP is weighing surgical options. The injury is the most serious of Mahomes 9-year NFL career, which includes three Super Bowl titles, and it will keep him off the field until sometime in 2026. The defeat eliminated the defending AFC champions from playoff contention and capped a season marked by mounting injuries across the roster. Team officials said Mahomes underwent an MRI Sunday night and will consider the medical pathway with specialists.
Key Takeaways
- Mahomes suffered a torn left ACL in the closing minutes of a 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday in Kansas City.
- Chiefs announced Mahomes is considering surgical options; the club expects him to miss the remainder of the 2025 season and not return until 2026.
- The loss, combined with victories by Jacksonville, Buffalo and Houston, eliminated Kansas City from postseason play.
- Mahomes, 30, has been a starter for nine seasons, has won two MVP awards and three Super Bowls, and had reached the AFC title game in each of his seven previous seasons as the starter.
- Play-by-play: Mahomes scrambled toward the Kansas City sideline with under two minutes remaining, was contacted by Chargers defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand, grabbed his left knee, received sideline treatment, and later had an MRI the same night.
- Backup Gardner Minshew replaced Mahomes, engineered a brief drive but threw an interception to Derwin James on a contested pass intended for Travis Kelce with 14 seconds left.
- The Chiefs entered the game with multiple offensive and defensive injuries, forcing inexperienced linemen into protection roles late in the contest.
Background
Patrick Mahomes emerged as the face of the Chiefs franchise after becoming the full-time starter in 2018. Over nine seasons he has compiled three Super Bowl championships and two league MVPs, establishing Kansas City as a perennial contender. Until this season, Mahomes reached the AFC championship game in each of his first seven seasons as the starter, a run of sustained postseason success that set high expectations inside the organization and among fans.
In 2025 the Chiefs faced an unusually long list of injuries across multiple position groups. Key offensive linemen, receivers and defensive starters missed time, and the team often relied on backups and players with minimal NFL experience. That attrition coincided with a drop in offensive production, leaving Kansas City fighting for the final playoff spots late in the season.
Main Event
With the Chiefs having reached midfield and less than two minutes on the clock, Mahomes scrambled toward the Kansas City sideline and attempted to throw. He was spun to the turf on contact by Chargers defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand and immediately clasped his left knee. Medical personnel quickly attended to him and he was escorted to the blue injury tent before limping toward the locker room with trainers on either side.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said an MRI would be performed either that evening or the following day; team sources confirmed the scan took place Sunday night and identified a torn anterior cruciate ligament. The club issued an update indicating Mahomes was evaluating surgical repair with team doctors and external specialists, and that a return is not expected until 2026.
Gardner Minshew came in under pressure and completed three consecutive passes to advance the offense, but on a jump ball intended for tight end Travis Kelce with 14 seconds remaining, Derwin James intercepted the pass and returned possession to the Chargers, sealing the 16-13 game. The defeat, combined with other results around the league, mathematically ended the Chiefs postseason bid.
The playing surface of late and the load on an injury-riddled offensive line left Mahomes more exposed than in typical seasons. Backup linemen with limited regular-season snaps were asked to block in critical moments, and several positional absences were noted before kickoff and during the game.
Analysis & Implications
Medically, a torn ACL usually requires surgery for elite-level quarterbacks who must retain full mobility, and recovery timelines commonly span 9 to 12 months or longer, depending on graft choice and rehabilitation. The Chiefs indication that Mahomes is considering surgery implies the organization and player will weigh the risks, possible timelines and the goal of returning to peak form rather than accelerating a comeback.
From a roster and cap-management perspective, losing a franchise quarterback for an extended period forces immediate decisions. Kansas City must consider quarterback depth chart plans, potential offseason acquisitions, and how to allocate resources while maintaining competitiveness around a new starter. The injury also removes the certainty teams built around Mahomes leadership and playmaking, making short-term strategic pivots likely.
For the AFC landscape, Mahomes absence reshapes playoff projections and offseason strategies across the conference. Teams that have previously accounted for the Chiefs as favorites will reassess personnel moves and game plans. The injury also raises broader questions about offensive line construction across the league and how teams protect high-value quarterbacks on compromised fronts.
Comparison & Data
| Metric | Mahomes Career |
|---|---|
| Years as starter | 9 |
| Super Bowl titles | 3 |
| MVP awards | 2 |
| AFC title game appearances (first 7 seasons) | 7 |
| Expected absence | Through part of 2026 |
The table places the injury in career context: Mahomes built a Hall of Fame-caliber resume in a relatively short span, making this ACL tear one of the most consequential health setbacks of his tenure. Teams typically factor such injuries into multi-year planning, particularly when they affect a franchise cornerstone.
Reactions & Quotes
Don’t know why this had to happen. 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.
Patrick Mahomes, social media
Mahomes posted gratitude for fan support and vowed to work toward a comeback. His message framed the injury in personal and motivational terms rather than offering medical detail.
I just hugged him, man. That’s my brother. We’ve been through so much. We love Pat.
Chris Jones, Chiefs defensive tackle
Jones captured the locker-room emotion immediately after the diagnosis, underscoring the bond among teammates and the personal impact of losing a leader in the postseason chase.
He will get an MRI tomorrow or this evening, whenever we can.
Andy Reid, Chiefs head coach
Coach Reid provided the immediate timeline for imaging and emphasized that the club would follow medical steps before deciding on treatment and the roster response.
Unconfirmed
- The exact surgical approach Mahomes will choose and the definitive timetable for surgery have not been announced as of this report.
- Specific rehabilitation milestones and a targeted in-season return date in 2026 remain to be set by team and medical staff.
Bottom Line
Patrick Mahomes sustained a torn left ACL late in a 16-13 loss that eliminated the Chiefs from playoff contention, and the franchise is preparing for a prolonged absence while weighing surgical repair. The injury removes a generational playmaker from the field and forces Kansas City to address immediate roster, cap and strategic questions in the offseason.
For the wider NFL, Mahomes absence reshapes short-term competitive lines in the AFC and highlights the importance of protecting top-tier quarterbacks. Follow-up will focus on the medical decision the quarterback and club make, the rehabilitation program they select, and how the Chiefs construct a roster capable of remaining competitive without their leader.
Sources
- Associated Press — news report and game coverage
- Kansas City Chiefs — official team site