Patrick Mahomes’ Injury Changes Everything - Here’s Who Could Step In for the Chiefs in 2026
The Kansas City Chiefs’ 2025 season had already taken some hard hits, but Week 15 delivered the gut punch: Patrick Mahomes tore both his LCL and ACL in the closing moments of a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. It’s a devastating blow to a team that’s built its identity around No. 15’s brilliance.
Now, with four games left in the regular season, Gardner Minshew is expected to take the reins. But the bigger question looms: what happens next year?
Mahomes is looking at roughly a nine-month recovery timeline. That puts him on track to return for the start of the 2026 season - in theory.
But major knee injuries are tricky, and setbacks happen. Even if Mahomes is cleared by Week 1, the Chiefs might want to ease him back into action rather than rush him onto the field.
He’s only 30, and still very much the face of the franchise, so long-term health has to be the priority.
That means Kansas City needs a reliable short-term option - someone who can steady the ship if Mahomes isn’t ready to go. Let’s break down the most realistic candidates to fill that role.
Gardner Minshew: The In-House Audition
Let’s start with the guy already in the building. Gardner Minshew is stepping in for the final stretch of the season, and how he performs over these next four games could determine whether he’s back in 2026.
Minshew isn’t new to this. Since entering the league in 2019, he’s started games every year - and while his track record is a bit uneven, he’s shown he can win.
Just two seasons ago, he went 7-6 as the Colts’ starter. That’s not elite, but it’s solid - and more importantly, it’s the kind of stability Kansas City might need if Mahomes misses time.
The benefit of Minshew is familiarity. If he finishes the year strong, he’ll have valuable reps in Andy Reid’s system, and that’s no small thing. Continuity matters, especially when you’re managing a transition at the most important position in football.
There are two caveats, though. One, Minshew has to play well.
If he struggles, that changes the conversation entirely. Two, he’s a free agent after this season.
If he plays well enough to earn serious interest elsewhere, the Chiefs may not be willing to meet his price tag.
Still, if things go smoothly to close out 2025, Minshew could be the most seamless bridge to Mahomes’ return.
Joe Flacco: The Veteran Stopgap
Joe Flacco’s 2025 season was a tale of two cities. In Cleveland, he looked like a quarterback on his way out - completing just 58.1% of his passes with two touchdowns and six picks in four starts.
But then came the Cincinnati stint, and suddenly, Flacco turned back the clock. In six games with the Bengals, he completed over 61% of his throws for 1,636 yards, 13 touchdowns, and only four interceptions.
At 41 (come January), Flacco isn’t going to wow anyone with mobility or upside. But what he can offer is veteran poise and the ability to manage a game. He’s been in pressure situations, he’s won playoff games, and he knows how to run an offense.
If Mahomes is only expected to miss a few games, Flacco could be a low-risk, short-term option who keeps the Chiefs competitive without requiring a major investment.
Jimmy Garoppolo: The Game Manager with a Winning Resume
If the Chiefs are looking for someone who can keep the team afloat while Mahomes heals, Jimmy Garoppolo fits the bill.
His most recent full-time stretch came in 2023 with the Raiders, where he went 3-3 in six starts. The numbers weren’t eye-popping, but Garoppolo has always been more about results than flash.
He’s not going to carry an offense, but he won’t sink it either. That’s exactly the kind of quarterback you want in a pinch.
Garoppolo’s injury history is a concern - he’s missed time in nearly every season he’s played - but if the Chiefs just need someone to hold the line for a few weeks, he’s proven he can do that.
Mac Jones: The Trade Target
Here’s the wildcard. Mac Jones isn’t a free agent, so bringing him in would require a trade with the 49ers. That’s a hurdle, especially if other teams see Jones as a potential long-term starter and are willing to offer more.
But if the Chiefs are serious about protecting their Super Bowl window, Jones is worth a look.
While Brock Purdy was out this season, Jones stepped in and played exactly the kind of football Kansas City might need in a Mahomes-less stretch. In 10 games, he completed nearly 70% of his passes for over 2,100 yards, with 13 touchdowns and six interceptions. More importantly, he went 5-3 in his eight starts - and he did that without key weapons like Ricky Pearsall, George Kittle, and Brandon Aiyuk.
Jones isn’t a long-term threat to Mahomes’ job, but he could be a high-floor option to keep the offense rolling. The question is whether the Chiefs are willing to part with the draft capital it would take to get him.
What’s Next for Kansas City?
The Chiefs aren’t in panic mode - not yet. Mahomes is still the guy, and the expectation is that he’ll be back in time for 2026. But ACL and LCL tears aren’t minor injuries, and Kansas City has to be ready for the possibility that their MVP quarterback needs more time.
Whether it’s Minshew, Flacco, Garoppolo, or Jones, the Chiefs need a Plan B that can keep them competitive in a loaded AFC. The next few weeks will give us a clearer picture of Minshew’s viability, but the front office should already be exploring every option.
Because when you have a team built to contend, you can’t afford to let a slow start - or a slow recovery - derail your season.