Patrick Mahomes Out for Season with Torn ACL and LCL: Chiefs Face Harsh Reality After Star QB’s Injury
The Kansas City Chiefs’ already turbulent season just hit its lowest point - and it’s not even close. Patrick Mahomes, the face of the franchise and one of the league’s most dynamic quarterbacks, is officially done for the year after suffering a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee during last Sunday’s loss to the Chargers.
The injury happened in a moment that felt like it froze time. Mahomes was trying to extend a play, as he’s done countless times before, when a Chargers defender rolled into his left leg.
He stayed down, grabbing at his knee, and the silence on the Chiefs’ sideline said it all. Trainers rushed to his side, and eventually helped him off the field and into the locker room.
He wouldn’t return - and neither would Kansas City’s playoff hopes.
After the game, the team confirmed what many feared: Mahomes had torn his ACL. But there was more.
The quarterback underwent surgery in Dallas with Dr. Dan Cooper, and while the operation was successful, it was revealed that the damage was more extensive than initially believed.
Mahomes also tore his LCL, meaning both ligaments had to be repaired during the procedure.
Now, here’s the silver lining - if you can call it that. According to reports, the additional ligament tear isn’t expected to significantly extend Mahomes’ recovery timeline.
The expectation is that he’ll be sidelined for around nine months, which puts him on track to return in time for training camp next summer. That’s a big relief for Kansas City, but it doesn’t soften the blow of what this means in the short term.
With Mahomes out, the Chiefs now turn to the rest of the roster to carry them through what’s left of the 2025 campaign. They’ll head to Nashville this Sunday to face the Titans, but let’s be honest - the focus has already shifted beyond the immediate. This isn’t just about finishing the season; it’s about reshaping the future.
The injury caps a season that’s been defined by inconsistency, frustration, and now, a devastating loss of their franchise cornerstone. Mahomes has been the engine behind everything the Chiefs have built over the past several years - the comebacks, the playoff runs, the Super Bowl rings. Take him out of the equation, and the entire identity of the team shifts.
Now, the Chiefs are staring down an offseason filled with big questions. How do they build around Mahomes as he recovers?
What does this mean for their offensive approach moving forward? And perhaps most pressing - how do they ensure their star quarterback returns at full strength, both physically and mentally?
The good news is, if there’s anyone built to bounce back from this, it’s Mahomes. His rehab will begin immediately, and knowing his work ethic, it’s safe to assume he’ll attack it with the same intensity he brings to the field every Sunday. But make no mistake - this is a major moment for the Chiefs franchise.
For now, Kansas City will try to finish the season with pride, but the spotlight has already shifted to 2026. The countdown to Mahomes’ return begins - and with it, the hope that when he does come back, he’ll be the same game-changing force that’s redefined the quarterback position over the past half-decade.