The writing was simply on the wall for Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
The Kansas City Chiefs started the 2025 NFL season with a 0-2 record. It was a first in the Mahomes era. The season would bring about numerous firsts for the franchise. The team will most certainly not be headed to the Super Bowl this year. They were eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday with the loss to the Chargers.
Even if they had won, the season was already over. Patrick Mahomes went down with a devastating leg injury. Hours later, it was announced that Mahomes suffered a season-ending ACL tear in his left knee. His season is done.
The star quarterback made sure to thank fans for their support after his injury. “Don’t know why this had to happen. And not going to lie, it’s hurts,” he wrote on X. “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.”
The Chiefs’ season came to an end at the hands of Justin Herbert and the Chargers. He was previously warned about this.
Back in July, Patrick Mahomes was on the golf course for the American Century Championship. There was a moment during the final day of the tournament that went viral. A fan yelled out and told the star quarterback, “Watch out for Justin Herbert next year!”
"I'll see it when I believe it" 🤦🏻♂️ pic.twitter.com/b8tkwysKxm
— TPS (@TotalProSports) December 15, 2025
“I’ll see it when I believe it,” Mahomes responded.
The Chargers are 10-4 and swept the Chiefs in 2025. He certainly believes it now.
Mahomes suffered a torn ACL in the final minutes of Sunday’s 16-13 loss to the Chargers. He was in serious pain, and he had to be helped back to the Chiefs’ locker room. The team said in a statement later on that an MRI confirmed the ACL tear.
The Chiefs have three games left in the season, and the team was eliminated from the playoffs on Sunday. The 2025 season is essentially over for them. They noted Mahomes and the club are “currently exploring surgical options.”
What does the future look like now?
Patrick Mahomes is going to be out for months rehabbing to get back into shape. He just turned 30, and not many players have returned to the same level following an ACL tear. The injury may jeopardize the start of the 2026 season. The typical recovery time for an ACL tear can range from 6 to 12 months.
Advancements in medicine have shortened the timeline in recent years. It remains to be seen whether he can return as the same player.