Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL during Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers, ending a season that already saw the Chiefs miss the playoffs for the first time in his career.
The injury occurred in the 4th quarter when the three-time Super Bowl champion attempted to extend a play while being pursued by Chargers defensive end Da’Shawn Hand. As Mahomes planted his left foot to throw the ball away, his knee buckled and he fell to the ground in pain.
Medical staff attended to the 30-year-old quarterback immediately. An MRI later confirmed the torn ACL diagnosis.
The injury adds another disappointing chapter to what had already been a challenging season for Kansas City.
“Don’t know why this had to happen. And not going to lie it’s hurts,” Mahomes wrote on social media Sunday night. “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.”
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…
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) December 14, 2025
Former ESPN analyst Trey Wingo pointed out an unusual parallel between Mahomes and another NFL legend.
“So this is crazy… both Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes won 3 Super Bowls early in their careers and then tore their ACLs in their 9th seasons with both teams missing the playoffs that year,” Wingo shared on social media.
So this is crazy… both Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes won 3 Super Bowls early in their careers and then tore their ACLs in their 9th seasons with both teams missing the playoffs that year pic.twitter.com/SIFhnvShXl
— trey wingo (@wingoz) December 15, 2025
The comparison offers a potential silver lining for Chiefs fans.
Brady’s post-injury career was arguably more impressive than his early years. Before his ACL tear in the 2008 season opener, Brady had compiled a 92.9 passer rating with 26,370 yards, 197 touchdowns and 86 interceptions across 112 games.
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…
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) December 14, 2025
After recovering, Brady played from 2009 until 2023 – registering a 99.0 passer rating with 62,768 yards, 452 touchdowns and 126 interceptions in 222 games. He relied increasingly on his football intelligence rather than pure physical ability.
For Mahomes – widely considered a future Hall of Famer – the road to recovery now begins. Typical ACL rehabilitation takes 9-12 months, potentially affecting his availability for the start of next season.
The Chiefs, who won’t see postseason action for the first time in the Mahomes era, now face an offseason filled with questions about their franchise quarterback’s recovery timeline and how the team might adjust its approach going forward.