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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL during Sunday's (December 14) loss to the AFC West Division rival Los Angeles Chargers, an MRI confirmed, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
Mahomes, 30, appeared to experience an issue with his already injured left knee and was replaced by backup Gardner Minshew with 1:53 remaining in the fourth quarter. Minshew threw an interception with 14 seconds remaining to drop the Chiefs to 6-8, eliminating them from the playoffs for the first time in 11 seasons.
"In the same day, the Chiefs are eliminated from playoff contention and lose their QB to an injury that could sideline him until close to the start of the 2026 season. Just a nightmare in every way for Kansas City," Pelissero wrote on his X account.
Mahomes broke his silence on the injury with a post shared on his X account shortly before Pelissero's report.
"Don’t know why this had to happen. And not going to lie it’s hurts. But all we can do now is Trust in God and attack every single day over and over again. Thank you Chiefs kingdom for always supporting me and for everyone who has reached out and sent prayers. I Will be back stronger than ever," Mahomes wrote on his X account.
Mahomes was tackled from behind by Chargers defensive end De'Shawn Hand and remained down on the sideline while being treated by team medical staff before eventually being helped to his feet, taken to the blue medical tent and seen being held up by two staffers while hobbling to the locker room. The three-time Super Bowl MVP threw for 189 yards and one interception on 16 of 28 passing prior to exiting the game.
Mahomes had never previously missed the playoffs during his first seven seasons as the Chiefs' starting quarterback, emerging as one of the NFL's brightest stars and the face of the league's most dominant franchise during that span. Kansas City will conclude its 2025 regular season with a road game against the Tennessee Titans next Sunday (December 21) followed by a home game against the Denver Broncos (December 25) and a road game against the Las Vegas Raiders (January 4).
