Patrick Mahomes Injury KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a season-ending torn ACL in his left knee in the closing minutes of Sunday’s 16-13 loss to the Chargers, a result that ended Kansas City’s playoff hopes.
Patrick Mahomes underwent an MRI after the game that confirmed the injury. He and the Chiefs are now exploring surgical options, according to the team.
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I Will Be Back Stronger: Recalcitrant Mahomes Vows Triumphant Return
Don’t know why this had to happen, Mahomes wrote on social media. 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.
Patrick Mahomes’ Injury Felled in Valiant Rally Attempt
Mahomes was hurt with less than two minutes remaining in the game.
In an effort to rally the Chiefs, he scrambled out of the pocket, rolling to his right while he was chased down by defensive end Da’Shawn Hand. Once Mahomes planted his left foot and threw the ball away for an incompletion, his left knee buckled. After he fell to the turf, Mahomes immediately grabbed his left knee and winced in pain.
That’s My Brother”: Chiefs Associate Behind Patrick Mahomes Injury After Heartbreaking Blow
After the game, the atmosphere inside the Chiefs’ locker room was sorrowful; many of the veterans knew their leader had suffered the worst injury of his nine-year career.
I just hugged him, man,” pass rusher Chris Jones said. That’s my brother. We’ve been through so much. We love Pat.
Mahomes is expected to have surgery in the coming days. He will miss the team’s offseason program, and his availability for the start of next season is in question.
After Defying Pain for Glory, Patrick Mahomes Injury friend Urgent Chiefs Overhaul
Mahomes, 30, had managed to stay free of long-term injuries during his NFL career. In 2019, while executing a quarterback sneak, he dislocated his right kneecap but missed just two games — the longest absence of his career — and later that season led the Chiefs to their first Super Bowl victory in 50 years. In the 2020 playoffs, Mahomes returned from a concussion and played through turf toe in his left foot, an injury that required surgery that offseason. And his most heroic moment playing through pain was in the 2022 postseason, when he led the Chiefs to another Super Bowl victory while dealing with a high right ankle sprain. For More Details
A lot of greats have done it, Mahomes said in January 2023, of playing through injuries. I think it’s just about being a competitor. You want to be out there, especially in these games.
Even before Mahomes’ injury, the Chiefs were going to need to address several areas of their roster this offseason: a lackluster pass rush, a running game that has lacked production and a tight end group that might need to replace Travis Kelce if he retires. However, that priority list will now have to include a quarterback; the team doesn’t have another one currently under contract for the 2026 season.
Patrick Mahomes Injury Chiefs Poised for Strategic Overhaul to Shield Dynasty Future
Over the last five years, Coach Andy Reid has prioritized having an accomplished veteran as Mahomes’ backup. The team might consider signing a player in free agency who can manage the Chiefs’ offense during the unusual time period, including training camp, preseason, and potentially the early stages of the regular season.
Kelce, 36, is currently in the last year of his contract. Last month, he mentioned that he intends to decide on his return to the Chiefs by early March, ahead of the start of NFL free agency. Known for his strong bond with Mahomes, Kelce chose not to speak with reporters following Sunday’s game.
Sorry everyone, now’s not the right moment, Kelce said. I’ll catch up with you all during the week.
Devastating Patrick Mahomes Injury Prevention Ends Chiefs’ Hopes for Historic Playoff Run
Five plays after Mahomes left the game, backup quarterback Gardner Minshew attempted an ill-advised intermediate pass targeting Kelce. The throw was intercepted by Chargers safety Derwin James Jr., effectively sealing the Chiefs’ fate. The error dashed their comeback hopes and ended their chance to secure an 11th straight postseason appearance, which would have matched the NFL’s longest streak on record. For More Articles Like That
Minshew expressed his confidence, saying he felt at ease stepping in to run the offense. However, he admitted his disappointment, stating how much he disliked the situation and regretted not being able to secure a win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Patrick Mahomes Injury Chiefs Forged in Fire: Humbled Dynasty Vows to Rise from Ashes
Heading into Sunday, the Chiefs had only a 12% likelihood of clinching a postseason spot, as per ESPN Analytics. However, even before their game concluded, those odds dropped further as the Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Houston Texans—all teams that had already beaten the Chiefs earlier in the season and sat above them in the standings—secured victories in their respective matchups.
Success is something you earn annually, Jones explained. Sometimes things don’t unfold the way you initially envisioned. I believe we’ve gained valuable lessons this year.
It’s natural to feel frustration with ourselves and to question why things happen, even directing those questions toward God. However, these moments often serve as lessons meant to guide us along our journey. Asking why or why now can feel justified, but embracing the opportunity to understand and grow from it is what truly matters.
The Chiefs began the season aiming to become only the second team in the Super Bowl era to make it to the grand stage for a fourth straight year. A mere 28 days ago, heading into Week 11, they were considered favorites to clinch the Super Bowl title.
Chiefs Vow Revival as Mahomes’ Uncharted Losing Streak Exposes Flaws
Chiefs failed to make the postseason this year, primarily because they were unable to replicate their success from the previous season in close games. Last year, they set a league record by securing 11 one-score victories in a single season. However, this year told a different story. Factors such as poor execution, struggles for the defense to get crucial stops late in games, and kicker Harrison Butker missing a career-high eight field goals contributed to their struggles. As a result, the Chiefs endured seven one-score losses, including Sunday’s game, finishing the season with a league-worst 1-7 record in such situations.
Cornerback Jaylen Watson expressed his frustration, mentioning that they’re struggling to finish plays. He explained that it comes down to one, two, or possibly three plays where they fall short, which has been a source of disappointment.
Before this year, Mahomes had never experienced three consecutive losses in a single season as the Chiefs’ starting quarterback. The streak concluded on Sunday.
Valiant Mahomes Bows as exposed and Outgunned Chiefs Fall
Mahomes showcased exceptional skill during the Chiefs’ opening drive, making pivotal plays to secure an early lead. He delivered a crucial third-and-11 pass to Kelce, keeping the momentum alive, and displayed his sharp instincts against the Chargers’ zone defense in the red zone, capping it off with a 12-yard touchdown run.
Following that drive, the Chargers went on to challenge Mahomes at every turn. They applied relentless pressure on the Chiefs’ patchwork offensive line, which included undrafted rookie left tackle Esa Pole in just his second career start and right tackle Chukwuebuka Godrick making his NFL debut. Additionally, their tight man-to-man coverage consistently disrupted the receivers’ ability to get open.
The Chargers opted not to blitz Mahomes on any of his 35 dropbacks, marking the first time in his regular-season career he wasn’t blitzed even once, as reported by Next Gen Stats. Despite this, they managed to pressure him 17 times, accounting for a 49% pressure rate—the highest he has faced in a game this season. Under pressure, Mahomes completed only 4 of his 10 passes for 53 yards and threw an interception.
Mahomes made his most significant error in the fourth quarter, throwing an interception in the red zone on a third-and-12 play. An incomplete pass in that situation would have set up Butker for a chance to kick a game-tying field goal.
Patrick Mahomes Injury Red Zone Collapse Exposes Fatal Flaw in Chiefs’ Faltering Lineage
Mahomes failed to complete any of his four pass attempts in the red zone, marking the most attempts without a completion in a single game of his career.
We need to perform better when given opportunities in the red zone or with advantageous field position, Reid emphasized. You have to capitalize on those chances.
With Mahomes sidelined, Minshew is expected to step in as the team’s starter for the final three games of the regular season.
It’s been tough for Pat, Minshew admitted. That guy puts everything he has into this. I don’t think I’ve ever respected a teammate more. I’ve never seen anyone give so much of themselves to the team. Not getting the desired results is tough, but I have more faith in him than anyone to come back stronger than ever.
He’s feeling down, obviously. It’s a challenging game, and this has been a difficult season so far.
