Patrick Mahomes suffered a major setback late Sunday, as the Kansas City Chiefs confirmed the star quarterback has torn the ACL in his left knee.
The team announced the diagnosis hours after their loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, revealing that an MRI confirmed the injury following Mahomes’ exit in the fourth quarter. Kansas City added that Mahomes and the organization are now evaluating surgical options.
Mahomes was injured late in the game when he rolled left and threw the ball away under pressure. Chargers defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand grabbed Mahomes’ legs during the play, and his left knee appeared to buckle as he went down. Mahomes remained on the turf for several minutes before being helped to the sideline and escorted to the locker room.
The injury capped off a difficult day for the Chiefs, who fell 16–13 to the Chargers, officially eliminating them from playoff contention. The defeat will ensure Kansas City’s first missed postseason since 2014, ending a decade-long run of playoff appearances that coincided with Mahomes’ rise to stardom.
There is currently no official timetable for Mahomes’ return, though recovery from a torn ACL typically takes at least nine months. That timeline could push his comeback into the early portion of the 2026 season, depending on rehabilitation progress and surgical outcomes.
The injury is especially significant given Mahomes’ durability throughout his career. Since taking over as the Chiefs’ starting quarterback in 2018, he has played in 125 of a possible 130 games. Drafted 10th overall in 2017, Mahomes has established himself as the NFL’s premier quarterback, earning two first-team All-Pro selections, six Pro Bowl nods, and leading Kansas City to five Super Bowl appearances, winning three championships.
Mahomes has also guided the Chiefs to at least the AFC Championship Game in every season he has started, making Sunday’s loss and subsequent injury a stunning turning point for himself and the franchise.
As Kansas City looks ahead to the offseason, Mahomes’ recovery will be closely monitored while the organization regroups and retools its roster.