The Kansas City Chiefs’ 2025 season, already teetering on the edge of disappointment, officially unraveled on Sunday-and it did so in devastating fashion. Not only did the three-time defending AFC champions see their playoff hopes extinguished in a 16-13 loss to the Chargers, but they also lost the heart of their franchise. Patrick Mahomes, the face of the Chiefs and arguably the league itself, went down with a serious knee injury in the game’s final minutes.
With just under two minutes left and Kansas City trailing by three, Mahomes did what he’s done countless times-extended a play, looking for a spark. Rolling to his right, he tried to buy time, eyes scanning downfield.
But as the play collapsed, so did Mahomes, after being rolled up on by Chargers defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand. Mahomes immediately grabbed his left knee in visible pain.
He was helped off the field and didn’t return.
The diagnosis came quickly and confirmed the worst: a torn ACL in his left knee. Later, it was revealed that he also tore the LCL, meaning two ligaments were damaged and repaired during surgery.
The procedure was performed by Dr. Dan Cooper in Dallas, and according to the team, it was successful.
Mahomes has already begun the rehab process.
While the additional LCL injury can complicate the recovery, the Chiefs are optimistic it won’t significantly delay his return. That’s a small silver lining in an otherwise brutal blow-not just to Kansas City’s season, but to the NFL landscape as a whole. When Mahomes isn’t on the field, the league feels it.
In the immediate aftermath, backup quarterback Gardner Minshew stepped in. The 29-year-old journeyman has seen his share of NFL action, with 46 career starts under his belt.
His 17-29 record might not jump off the page, but Minshew’s been around long enough to know how to manage a huddle. He’s expected to finish out the season under center.
Behind Minshew, the Chiefs’ quarterback depth chart is thin. Chris Oladokun, who’s been with the team since 2022, is currently on the practice squad. He’s bounced between the squad and the active roster over the past few seasons and is a likely candidate for elevation once Mahomes is officially placed on injured reserve.
The team could also explore external options to round out the QB room. Familiar names like Bailey Zappe, Ian Book, and Shane Buechele have all spent time with the Chiefs in recent years. Book is currently a free agent, while Zappe and Buechele are on the Browns and Bills practice squads, respectively-making them eligible to be signed to Kansas City’s active roster.
As for Mahomes, there’s cautious optimism. The fact that he was able to undergo surgery the very next day after the injury is notable.
Typically, players wait for swelling to subside or seek second opinions before going under the knife. That Mahomes moved so quickly suggests a clear path forward and a strong desire to get back on the field as soon as possible.
The standard recovery timeline for an ACL tear is about nine months, which would put Mahomes on track for a mid-September return-right around Week 2 or 3 of the 2026 season. Of course, rehab is rarely linear.
Setbacks can happen. But if all goes well, Mahomes should be back in time to lead the Chiefs through the bulk of next season and, potentially, back into the playoff picture.
For now, the Chiefs are left to regroup. A season that began with championship aspirations has ended with questions-about the future, about depth, and about how quickly their superstar can get back to doing what he does best.
One thing’s for sure: the road back starts now, and if anyone’s built to navigate it, it’s No. 15.