For the first time since 2014, the Kansas City Chiefs will play no part in the postseason. A 16-13 home loss to the L.A. Chargers saw the most dominant side of the past few years slump to 6-8. That result, combined with wins for the Bills, Jaguars, and Texans, removed any route to the playoffs for Andy Reid’s men. To compound matters, the Chiefs also lost quarterback and face of the franchise, Patrick Mahomes, to a season-ending ACL injury.
Fourth Quarter Scramble Ends in Agony
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…
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) December 14, 2025
Trailing 16-13 late in the fourth quarter, Mahomes appeared to be in the process of launching a game-winning drive to keep the Chiefs’ season alive. However, disaster struck with two minutes to play. Scrambling to his right, Mahomes was knocked off balance having released the ball, seeing his left leg buckle alarmingly. Immediately grabbing his left knee and wincing in pain, it was clear that the 30-year-old had suffered a significant injury.
Mahomes did manage to leave the field on his feet, and was on his way down the tunnel when replacement Gardner Minshew threw the interception to effectively end the Chiefs’ season.
Scans on Sunday evening revealed that Mahomes had torn his ACL. Undergoing surgery in Dallas on Monday, 15 December, Mahomes faces an extensive spell on the sidelines, with the three-time Super Bowl winner in a race against time to make the start of the 2026 season.
First Significant Injury of Career
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This injury represents new territory for Mahomes, who has been an all-but ever-present since winning the starting role in Kansas in 2018. He has led the Chiefs to the postseason in all seven seasons since, including Super Bowl triumphs in 2019, 2022, and 2023.
During that time, his longest spell on the sidelines came as a result of a dislocated knee suffered while executing a quarterback sneak in 2019. Even then, he only missed two games. Later playing through turf toe, he showed admirable toughness to battle through a high ankle sprain on the Chiefs’ run to the Super Bowl in 2022.
Taking to X, Mahomes thanked fans for their support and vowed to return to his best, “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.”
Andy Reid expressed his belief that Mahomes would show his trademark grit in his recovery, stating, “He’ll attack it, just like he does everything else.” The head coach also noted that, “There have been some pretty good quarterbacks who have had the same injury, and they’ve done pretty well after they came back.”
Recent examples of quarterbacks returning from a torn ACL include Joe Burrow and Daniel Jones. Burrow tore his ACL and MCL in November 2020 but was back in time for the 2021 season and went on to be crowned the NFL Comeback Player of the Year. Jones suffered a torn ACL with the Giants in November 2023 and was also back for Week 1 of 2024. While struggling to establish himself in New York, Jones has blossomed since making the switch to Indianapolis.
The End of an Era in Kansas?
Using the term “rebuild” seems strange when referring to a Chiefs side that has made 10 straight playoff appearances, won nine division titles on the spin, and made seven consecutive trips to the AFC Championship Game. However, the cracks that emerged in the 40-22 loss to the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX have been in evidence throughout the current campaign.
Losing back-to-back games to start the season, the Chiefs have never built any momentum. Having improved to 5-3, another postseason berth looked to be in reach, only for the side to lose five of its next six to put the season on ice.
Mahomes hasn’t been quite at his best under centre, but that may have much to do with the fading cast around him. Number one target Travis Kelce is not the force of old, and it is difficult to pick out a number one receiver. On the other side of the ball, the defence has struggled to hit the dominant levels of 2023.
Plenty of work to do for the Chiefs in the offseason, with the quarterback position now a priority. Gardner Minshew is expected to start the final three games, backed up by Chris Oladukun. The former is in his sixth season in the NFL and boasts a 17-29 record, while the latter has only five NFL snaps to his name.