Is a chapter closing for the Kansas City Chiefs?
For years, many things broke the team's way — after landing a superstar quarterback in Patrick Mahomes and building around him effectively, they won multiple Super Bowls while becoming an annual playoff threat. The Chiefs have been considered a dynasty for a few years now, but with how things have gone the last few weeks, their current run may be over.
Not only was Kansas City eliminated from AFC playoff contention in Week 15 for the first time in Mahomes' career, but the quarterback also went down with a torn ACL against the Los Angeles Chargers. Mahomes' injury and the Chiefs struggles are set to have drastic consequences on their future outlook, as they now question what's next for the team in 2026.
How will Mahomes' injury and the Chiefs' failed 2025 season impact the future of Travis Kelce, Andy Reid and more? Here's a look at what's next for Kansas City.
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- Chiefs officially eliminated from NFL playoffs with loss to Chargers
- How long Chiefs are expected to be without Patrick Mahomes after knee injury
How long is Patrick Mahomes out?
Mahomes has been diagnosed with a torn ACL, the Chiefs announced Sunday. While an official timetable has yet to be announced, typical torn ACL injuries result in an 8-to-12 month recovery period.
"An MRI has confirmed that Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes sustained a torn ACL in his left knee in today’s game," a team statement read. "Patrick and the club are currently exploring surgical options."
The quarterback was injured during the Chiefs' final drive of their Week 15 loss to the Chargers; as he was tackled from behind, his left leg appeared to get stuck in the field, and it bent awkwardly. He immediately started grabbing at his left knee.
Mahomes did not return, seen limping to the locker room with trainers. Head coach Andy Reid said after the game that Mahomes hurt his left knee and he would be getting an MRI, which confirmed the torn ACL.
After the game, Mahomes shared a message to X to Chiefs fans.
"Don’t know why this had to happen. And not going to lie [it] hurts. But all we can do now is Trust in God and attack every single day over and over again," Mahomes wrote. "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
The expectation, given typical ACL recovery timelines, is that Mahomes will miss the beginning of the 2026 season, on top of the rest of 2025. Eight months, an optimistic outlook for the injury, would mean a July or August return, before the 2026 season, but 11 or 12 months, a tougher outlook, would slot him in to return in November or December of 2026.
MORE: Updated AFC, NFC playoff pictures in Week 15
How long is Chris Jones out?
Chris Jones, the Chiefs' longtime defensive leader, also left in Week 15 with an apparent injury. Jones exited in the third quarter against the Chargers, seen limping off the field then getting his left leg worked on at the medical table.
Postgame, Jones indicated that he'd be willing to play through whatever injury he was dealing with, lessening the concern for the star defensive tackle.
"It's December... Everyone is battling something... Injury, whether it's big, small... For me, if I can play, I can play," Jones said, per Charles Goldman.
For now, Jones appeared to be healthy enough to consider playing again this season, but the Chiefs may be cautious with their playoff hopes gone.
Will Travis Kelce retire in 2026?
Travis Kelce came into the 2025 offseason with his football future completely up in the air. He heavily mulled retirement, saying after losing Super Bowl LIX he wanted to "take some time" to decide if he'd continue playing. Ultimately, he announced a few weeks later that he would fulfill the final year of his contract with the Chiefs in 2025.
Kelce has not officially said whether the 2025 season would be his last, but given the circumstances, he's expected to once again heavily consider retirement. The tight end is on the final year of his current contract, meaning he'd have to sign a new one to return in 2026.
On top of that, Kelce's numbers have been declining for multiple years now. He has 727 yards through 14 games this season, still one of the most effective receiving tight ends in the league, but by no means is he the athletic star he was in his prime.
For now, Kelce's future is up in the air, but expect to hear more retirement buzz in the coming weeks as the 2025 season ends.
MORE: Updated 2026 NFL Draft order
Will Andy Reid retire in 2026?
The other constant figure in the Chiefs' organization is Andy Reid, head coach of the team since 2013. At 67 years old, he is one of the oldest head coaches in the NFL, but Reid also hasn't indicated any plans to leave Kansas City.
Reid signed a contract extension in 2024, which lasts through 2029. For that reason, he shouldn't be considered likely to retire very soon — or else he likely would've signed a shorter-term extension.
Despite a rough 2025 season, expect to see Reid on the sidelines with the Chiefs again next season.
Chiefs draft picks 2026
- 1st-round pick (own)
- 2nd-round pick (own)
- 3rd-round pick (own)
- 4th-round pick (own)
- 5th-round pick (own)
- 5th-round pick (comp)
Per Spotrac, the Chiefs are projected to have all of their own picks from rounds 1-5 in the 2026 NFL Draft, along with a projected comp pick from the NFL.
Kansas City is set to owe the Patriots its sixth-rounder and the Cowboys its seventh-rounder.
Because the Chiefs will not be in the playoffs this season, they may be able to grab a pick in the top 10-15 range for the 2026 draft.
Chiefs cap space 2026
The Chiefs are set to have a lot of decisions to make in the offseason — Spotrac estimates that, as things stand, the team will be around $34.2 million over the salary cap in the 2026 season, and that's only accounting for the 36 projected rostered players. In 2025, the Chiefs currently have an estimated cap space of $2.69 million, per Spotrac.
Mahomes' projected cap hit in 2026 of $78.2 million leads the team. Restructuring his contract could help Kansas City get more cap wiggle room, but they'll also have key decisions to make on players like Travis Kelce, Jaylen Watson and Isiah Pacheco in free agency, along with the cap room that players like Jawaan Taylor, Chris Jones and Trey Smith are taking up.
One way or another, the Chiefs will have a busy offseason this spring.