Chiefs Face Harsh Reality: Mahomes Out for Season, Minshew Steps In vs. Titans
The Kansas City Chiefs are heading into Week 16 with a completely different outlook than anyone expected just a few short weeks ago. For the first time since Patrick Mahomes took over under center, the Chiefs are officially out of the playoff picture-and to make matters worse, they’ll have to finish the season without their franchise quarterback.
Mahomes suffered a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee during the team’s 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 15. That defeat not only dropped Kansas City to 6-8 on the year but also slammed the door on their postseason hopes. For a team that’s been a perennial Super Bowl contender, it’s a stunning turn of events.
With Mahomes sidelined, Gardner Minshew is set to take over as the starting quarterback this Sunday when the Chiefs host the Tennessee Titans. It’ll be Minshew’s first start of the season, and while he’s no stranger to stepping in under pressure, the circumstances couldn’t be more challenging. This is a team still adjusting to life without its heartbeat on the field.
But even with his season over, Mahomes hasn’t stepped away from the team. Far from it. Just days after undergoing surgery to repair the damage in his knee, he’s remained a consistent presence around the facility-mentoring, supporting, and doing what leaders do.
And in true Mahomes fashion, he’s still finding ways to lift up his teammates. On Friday, wide receiver Xavier Worthy shared a moment that highlights the kind of teammate Mahomes is off the field. The quarterback gifted Worthy a PlayStation 5 along with a Poga travel case to go with it-a thoughtful gesture during what’s undoubtedly been a tough stretch for the locker room.
Worthy, now in his second NFL season, has been one of the bright spots for Kansas City in an otherwise frustrating campaign. Through 12 games, the former Texas Longhorn has hauled in 40 catches for 491 yards and a touchdown. He’s shown flashes of the dynamic playmaker the Chiefs hoped they were getting, and with Mahomes out, he’ll likely be leaned on even more as Minshew looks for reliable targets.
The Chiefs and Titans are set to kick off at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.
While the playoff dream is over, there’s still pride on the line-and for players like Minshew and Worthy, opportunity. The next few weeks will be about resilience, development, and showing that even in a down year, the Chiefs’ culture remains as strong as ever.
Mahomes may not be taking snaps, but his presence is still felt. And that says a lot about the kind of leader he is-on and off the field.