The Kansas City Chiefs' season ended on Sunday, as the team was eliminated from playoff contention against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Maybe more importantly, quarterback Patrick Mahomes had to leave the game before it ended. Mahomes went down late in the fourth quarter, as his left knee was twisted while trying to throw the ball away near the sidelines.
Mahomes is down and holding his left knee in pain pic.twitter.com/3FQMnWl4f5
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 14, 2025
While Gardner Minshew finished the game, Mahomes limped off the field and into the locker room.
Mahomes being helped off into the locker room pic.twitter.com/jrOG1qHL23
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 14, 2025
Mahomes was later diagnosed with a torn ACL, a brutal ending to his 2025 season that also puts his early 2026 status into question.
Here's the latest on how much time Mahomes could miss.
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- Patrick Mahomes suffers knee injury on final drive of Chiefs-Chargers
- Chiefs officially eliminated from NFL playoffs with loss to Chargers
How long is Patrick Mahomes out?
Mahomes was officially diagnosed with a torn ACL on Sunday night.
"An MRI has confirmed that Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes sustained a torn ACL in his left knee in today’s game," the Chiefs said in a statement. "Patrick and the club are currently exploring surgical options."
Mahomes has undoubtedly played his final snap of the 2025 season, and he also now carries the potential to miss a portion of the 2026 season. Torn ACLs can result in a recovery period from 9-to-12 months, so it will depend on his progress in rehab.
Mahomes needed assistance making his way into the locker room, an early that the injury would keep him out for a bit. After the game, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid acknowledged the gravity of the situation, but initially didn't have much more information.
"It didn't look good, I mean, you guys saw it," Reid said.
Reid added that Mahomes would have an MRI on his knee to get a diagnosis on the injury, which resulted in the torn ACL diagnosis.
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes did in fact tear his ACL. Pic.twitter.com/3YSufi4aez
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 15, 2025
Mahomes also made his first public comments since the injury, saying he 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
Torn ACL recovery timeline
Since the the MRI concluded that Mahomes tore his ACL, the quarterback will be out for the rest of the season and in danger of missing the start of next year. A torn ACL typically requires a recovery time of 9-12 months, depending on the severity of the injury,
While Mahomes has dealt with some injuries in his career, a torn ACL is by far his most serious since joining the NFL.
Chiefs schedule 2025
| Date | Opponent | Time | TV Channel |
| 12/21 | @ Titans | 1:00 p.m. | CBS |
| 12/25 | vs. Broncos | 8:15 p.m. | Prime Video |
| TBD | @ Raiders | TBD | TBD |