The superstar quarterback is scheduled to undergo surgery in the coming days and will be sidelined until next NFL season.
Published December 15, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, the team announced Sunday night.
An MRI scan revealed the severity of the injury, which occurred with 1 minute and 53 seconds left in the game.
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“An MRI scan has confirmed that Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during today’s game. Patrick and the club are currently evaluating surgical options,” the Chiefs said in a statement.
About 40 minutes before the announcement, Mahomes said he was struggling mentally but vowed to be better than ever once he recovers from his injury.
“I don’t know why this had to happen. I’m not going to lie, I was hurt,” Mahomes said on social media. “But all we can do now is trust in God and attack again and again every day. Thank you to the Chiefs Kingdom for always supporting me, reaching out and sending prayers. I will come back stronger than ever.”
With a 16-13 loss, Kansas City was eliminated from the playoffs for the first time in Mahomes’ career. Immediately after the game, head coach Andy Reid feared the worst.
“I don’t know, but it didn’t look good. I mean you all saw it. We’ll see what happens,” Reed said.
Mahomes was scrambling outside the pocket when he was taken down from behind by the Chargers’ Dashawn Hand. His left knee appeared to hyperextend as he touched the ground. Medical staff helped Mahomes hobble to the locker room as backup Gardner Minshew entered the game in relief.
With this victory, the Chargers defeated the Chiefs with a 10-4 record and remained in the AFC playoff race for the season.
“I hope Patrick (Mahomes) is OK. He’s one of the greatest competitors in the history of the game,” Chargers manager Jim Harbaugh said. “I have the utmost respect for him and I hope he’s okay. My prayers and thoughts are with him. I hope he dodges a bullet.”
The Chiefs were trailing 16-13 and had possession at midfield at the time of the injury. Minshew’s fifth pass attempt was picked off by Derwin James Jr. at the Los Angeles 18-yard line with 14 seconds left.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had more respect for the players I play with. I’ve never seen the players I play with give so much of themselves to the team,” Minshew said. “I have more faith in him than anyone to come back better than ever.”
Mahomes, 30, completed 16 of 28 passes for 189 yards and led the way with a 12-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter. He has 3,587 passing yards, 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions this season.
Kansas City (6-8) will likely finish the season with Minshew as its starting quarterback. The Chiefs have won 10 straight postseason games, the last seven with Mahomes leading the offense, and have represented the AFC in five of the last six Super Bowls, winning three times.
