Devastating news for the Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes' ACL tear ends their playoff hopes and sparks a long recovery, potentially sidelining him until the 2026 season.
It's official: The Kansas City Chiefs are eliminated from the playoffs. For the first time in a decade, the Chiefs won't be in the NFL postseason following a 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
To make matters worse, superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered an injury and left the game in pain. Gardner Minshew finished the game for Kansas City, and shortly after, the official injury diagnosis came in for Mahomes.
The Chiefs posted the news on X.
"Injury Update on QB Patrick Mahomes: 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."
Shortly before the diagnosis came, Mahomes posted on X with a heartfelt message.
"Don’t know why this had to happen. And not going to lie it’s 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."
Chiefs coach Andy Reid had said after that game that it "didn't look good," and now Mahomes has a long road to recovery while looking ahead to the 2026 season.
The Chiefs QB had to be helped to the locker room and was seen with a towel over his head following the injury.
Mahomes had gone 16-of-28 for 189 yards with a rushing score and an interception before leaving the game with the injury.
Minshew went just 3-of-5 for 22 yards with an interception.
For Kansas City, the only other QB on the roster is Minshew, so it will be worth monitoring to see who the Chief add for the final few weeks of the season.
The estimations for a torn ACL recovery range from 8-to-12 months, so if it is the best-case scenario, there is a chance Mahomes is ready by September 2026.
But, as the Chiefs wrote in their post, they are exploring surgical options to see the best route for Mahomes.
For now, barring a change, it seems to be Minshew as the starting QB for the final few weeks of the season.
So, in Week 15, the Chiefs lose to the Chargers at home, they officially are ruled out of the playoffs, and they now have Patrick Mahomes with a torn ACL.