Patrick Mahomes Faces Long Road Back After ACL Tear, But Motivation Isn’t in Question
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - When Patrick Mahomes went down in the Chiefs’ game against the Chargers, the stadium held its breath. Now, as the dust settles, the reality is setting in: the face of the franchise is dealing with a torn ACL, and the road to recovery is long, challenging, and unlike anything most of us will ever experience.
According to Sam Allred, a physical therapist at PT Solutions in Overland Park, Mahomes is likely to miss a significant portion of next season. The typical ACL recovery timeline for an NFL quarterback-especially one who relies so heavily on mobility, footwork, and explosive movement-can stretch close to a full year.
The ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, plays a critical role in knee stability, especially during sudden changes of direction and high-impact movements-exactly the kind of demands Mahomes places on his body every Sunday. Surgery typically involves reconstructing the torn ligament using a graft, often harvested from the athlete’s own body. That’s just the beginning.
“Right after surgery, he’ll be on crutches with a limited range of motion,” Allred explained. “Then comes the brace, and then the real work begins-rehab.”
Rehabilitation for an NFL quarterback isn’t your average recovery process. While most patients gradually work their way back to daily activities, Mahomes will be preparing to absorb hits in the pocket, plant and pivot on a dime, and launch 40-yard lasers off one leg. That kind of return takes months of intense, focused training.
As part of that process, athletes eventually progress to more functional strength work-think sled pushes, explosive movements, and balance drills that mimic game-day demands. Allred pointed to these types of exercises as key components in Mahomes' eventual return to the field.
“He’ll be doing a lot of functional strengthening,” Allred said. “That sled work is a great example of what he’ll need to get back to doing.”
And if there’s one thing no one’s questioning, it’s Mahomes’ mindset. Carol Sims, a patient at the same facility, summed it up best: “Patrick Mahomes is so motivated. He’s going to do fabulous.”
That motivation will be critical. Mahomes isn’t just trying to walk without pain-he’s aiming to return as one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the game. That means his rehab will be more rigorous, more tailored, and more demanding than the average patient’s.
“He’s got to be able to handle those high-stress cuts, throws, and impacts,” Allred said.
The timeline for a full return? That’s still a moving target.
Every ACL injury is different, and factors like the severity of the tear, surgical outcome, and how the knee responds to rehab all play a role. But as of now, Allred estimates Mahomes could be looking at a return around the middle of next season.
For Chiefs fans, that’s both sobering and hopeful. There’s a long road ahead, but if there’s one athlete who has the drive, discipline, and support system to come back stronger-it’s No. 15.
The Chiefs may have to navigate the early part of next season without their superstar under center, but don’t count Mahomes out. His comeback story is already in motion.