The Kansas City Chiefs' season has ended in devastating fashion, with the news that star quarterback Patrick Mahomes has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee.
Playoff Hopes Dashed by Crucial Injury
The two-time MVP sustained the significant knee injury during Sunday's 16-13 defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers. The loss itself confirmed that the Chiefs will miss the NFL playoffs for the first time since 2014. Mahomes was injured as he was spun to the ground while attempting a play to keep his team's fading postseason ambitions alive.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid confirmed on Monday that Mahomes will seek a second opinion from noted orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Dan Cooper, the team physician for the Dallas Cowboys, before undergoing surgery. The consultation is standard procedure to confirm the recovery path, but it leaves a major question mark over the franchise's immediate future.
Recovery Timeline and Team Fallout
It remains unclear if Mahomes will be ready for the start of the 2026 season. Recovery from an ACL tear typically takes between six and twelve months, depending on the severity and any additional damage in the knee. Coach Reid expressed confidence in his quarterback's mentality, stating, "He'll attack it, just like he does everything else."
Reid pointed to successful comebacks from similar injuries, such as Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, who returned to win Comeback Player of the Year, and New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, who started Week 1 the following season.
The injury leaves Kansas City in a precarious position at quarterback. Veteran backup Gardner Minshew, who finished the game against the Chargers, is now in line to start the team's final three games. The Chiefs have no other quarterbacks under contract for next season, making these weeks a critical audition for Minshew.
Another NFL Star Struck by ACL Blow
In a separate but equally significant blow to the league, a source confirmed to the Associated Press that Green Bay Packers pass-rushing star Micah Parsons also tore his ACL during his team's loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday.
Parsons addressed the injury on social media, writing, "I may be sidelined, but I am not defeated... I trust His timing, His plan and His purpose. I will rise again." His positive outlook mirrors the challenge now facing Patrick Mahomes, as two of the NFL's brightest stars begin arduous rehabilitation processes.
With Mahomes sidelined and the playoffs out of reach, the Chiefs' focus abruptly shifts to 2026, with the health of their franchise player becoming the overwhelming priority for the organisation.
