As the Kansas City Chiefs prepare for what could be a transformative offseason, all eyes are on the health of their franchise cornerstone, Patrick Mahomes. The superstar quarterback is facing a long road back after suffering both an ACL and LCL injury-an uncommon and serious combination that required surgery and will test even Mahomes’ legendary resilience.
For Chiefs fans trying to wrap their heads around what this means for next season, here’s what we know-and what it could mean for Mahomes’ timeline and performance moving forward.
A Complex Injury with a Complicated Timeline
First, let’s break down what Mahomes is dealing with. An ACL tear alone is significant, but when you add an LCL injury into the mix, the rehab process becomes more intricate. These are two major stabilizing ligaments in the knee, and when both are compromised, the recovery isn’t just about healing-it’s about protecting the joint during that healing process.
We spoke with Dr. Ayoosh Pareek, an orthopedic sports medicine surgeon who’s worked with top-tier athletes, to get a clearer picture of what Mahomes is up against.
According to Dr. Pareek, multiligament injuries typically require more caution early in the rehab process.
That means more bracing, more restrictions on weight-bearing, and tighter limits on how much Mahomes can move his knee in the initial weeks.
“For a standard ACL reconstruction, we usually allow early weight-bearing and full range of motion,” Dr. Pareek explained. “But when there’s an LCL involved, most surgeons will limit range of motion-usually to 0-90 degrees-for the first few weeks to protect the healing tissue.”
And that early caution can add time to the recovery clock. While a typical ACL rehab might have a player back in 9-12 months, adding a second ligament like the LCL could tack on another 2-4 months, depending on how things progress.
The Rehab Game Plan
Rehab for this kind of injury isn’t just about getting the knee to feel better-it’s about rebuilding trust in the joint. That process comes in phases, and Mahomes is currently in the earliest one: controlling swelling and managing pain. That means ice, elevation, anti-inflammatories, and very controlled movement, often starting just a few days post-surgery.
Dr. Pareek outlines the recovery journey in six overlapping stages:
- Swelling and pain control
- Restoring range of motion
- Normalizing walking mechanics
- Rebuilding strength and neuromuscular control
- Returning to running
- Progressing to cutting, pivoting, and sport-specific drills
The early focus is on inflammation and mobility. “We have a limited window to get the range of motion back,” Dr.
Pareek said. “Strength and agility can come later-but if you miss that window for motion, it can be hard to get it back.”
Can Rehab Be Accelerated?
The short answer: yes, but only to a point.
“You can’t rush biology,” Dr. Pareek noted.
Ligaments need time to heal, and no amount of elite-level training or cutting-edge technology can shortcut that. But once the ligaments are healed, the rehab team can ramp up the intensity.
That’s where strength, endurance, and proprioception-the body’s sense of joint position and movement-take center stage.
This part of the process is especially important for a quarterback like Mahomes, whose game is built on mobility, improvisation, and the ability to make throws from every angle. Getting him back to full strength isn’t just about being able to jog or even sprint-it’s about trusting that knee when he plants, cuts, or escapes the pocket with a defender closing in.
The Importance of Early Surgery
While every injury is different, Mahomes’ team opted for surgery quickly after the injury. That’s becoming more common, particularly with multiligament injuries.
If the tissue quality is good and swelling is manageable, getting in early can lead to better outcomes. It allows surgeons to repair rather than reconstruct certain ligaments, which can improve long-term stability and function.
Mahomes, of course, will have access to world-class surgical care and rehab resources. That gives him an edge, but it doesn’t eliminate the challenges ahead.
What It Means for the Chiefs
This injury doesn’t just impact Mahomes-it reshapes the Chiefs’ entire offseason strategy. With their QB1 facing a long and uncertain rehab, Kansas City’s front office will need to plan for multiple contingencies. That could mean looking at backup quarterback options, adjusting offensive schemes, or even altering how they approach the draft and free agency.
But if there’s any player who’s earned the benefit of the doubt, it’s Mahomes. His work ethic, competitive fire, and leadership are unquestioned. The road back won’t be easy, but don’t bet against him.
Still, Chiefs fans should brace for a recovery process that’s measured in months-not weeks-and understand that even when Mahomes returns, it may take time for him to look like the MVP version of himself again.
The good news? He’s got the best possible team around him to help make that happen. And if history has taught us anything, it’s that Mahomes doesn’t just come back-he comes back better.