As a Kansas City native, this is a tough pill to swallow. Truthfully, it feels unreal. The Chiefs’ season had already been shaky, but it damn near ended in pure despair the moment Patrick Mahomes went down. A career-bending injury. A torn ACL. And for the first time in nearly a decade, Kansas City is officially eliminated from the playoffs.

Mahomes exited the fourth quarter of Sunday’s (Dec. 14) game against the Los Angeles Chargers with a torn ACL in his left knee after taking a hard tackle while attempting to secure a touchdown in the final two minutes. He was helped off the field and replaced by Gardner Minshew as the Chiefs fell 16–13 – a loss that officially ended Kansas City’s postseason hopes.

Now, Mahomes has undergone surgery and is starting rehab immediately. Make no mistake: Kansas City is losing its mind.

The Chiefs confirmed on Monday, Dec. 15, that Mahomes successfully underwent surgery in Dallas performed by Dr. Dan Cooper, the Dallas Cowboys’ head team physician. The procedure repaired a torn ACL in Mahomes’ left knee, and according to league sources, Cooper also addressed a torn LCL. In a statement shared on X, the team announced that Mahomes "will begin his rehab process immediately."

Injury Update on QB Patrick Mahomes:

Patrick Mahomes successfully underwent surgery in Dallas this evening with Dr. Dan Cooper to repair the tear in his left ACL. Mahomes will begin his rehab process immediately.

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 16, 2025

If you you recall some seasons back, Mahomes had dealt with knee-related scares before. In October 2019, the player suffered a dislocated kneecap in his right knee during a quarterback sneak against the Denver Broncos. The injury was initially feared to be season-ending, but new tech revealed no major ligament damage. Mahomes missed just two games and returned wearing a knee brace –  later leading the Chiefs to a Super Bowl LIV victory that same season (AS HE DOES). 

Since that 2019 incident, Mahomes has managed minor knee soreness and wear-and-tear issues, particularly in recent seasons. During the current season, he had been dealing with ongoing discomfort in his left knee, which many fans noticed as he appeared less mobile at times.

This injury history makes the torn ACL in his left knee especially devastating, as it marks the first true major ligament injury of his NFL career and the first time he has suffered a season-ending knee injury! Mahomes had never torn an ACL and had never missed extended time due to a ligament injury. Mahomes later addressed the injury himself, sharing a raw and emotional message that instantly sent Chiefs Kingdom into collective heartbreak.

"Don’t know why this had to happen. And not going to lie, it hurts," he wrote. "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," he added. 

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

For Kansas City, this injury hits deeper than just a season ending early. Mahomes has been the heartbeat of this city for years. The face of a dynasty. The reason Arrowhead feels electric every Sunday. He’s one of the reasons the station reaches record-breaking sound barriers.. And now, for the first time in what feels like forever, we’re forced to imagine Chiefs football without him — even temporarily.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid expressed confidence in Mahomes’ recovery during a press conference, saying the quarterback is "in a good place" mentally, even if he feels like he let people down. "He’s ready for the challenge ahead. He’ll attack it, just like he does everything else. He’s got good people here to rehab him, and he’ll be right on top of all of that." 

The expected recovery timeline for a torn ACL is around nine months, which puts Mahomes’ availability for the start of the 2026 NFL season in question. Still, Reid believes a full return is possible if Mahomes commits fully to the rehab process – something no one doubts he’ll do.

NFL legend Tom Brady, who famously tore his ACL in 2008 and went on to win four Super Bowls afterward, also weighed in with advice. "You’ve just got to put as much diligence into the rehab process," Brady said. "It’s one of the toughest rehabs, but the great professional athletes make that commitment."

Tom Brady tore his ACL in 08 which was his 8th year.

Patrick Mahomes just tore his ACL….in his 8th year….. pic.twitter.com/SDz8Ii6jdF

— BroTalk (@BKsquared7) December 15, 2025

As much as Kansascitians are devastated, disappointed, and honestly at a loss for words, this city knows something about the long journey. About grit. About pride. About drive. The Chiefs held the AFC crown for nearly a decade – a run only comparable to the Patriots under Brady. That doesn’t disappear because of one injury.

Kansas City is still a threat to NFL Nation. Period. Chiefs Kingdom isn’t done. And neither is he.