Chiefs uncertain if Mahomes will be fit for start of 2026 season after ACL tear | Patrick Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes will get a second opinion on his torn left ACL before undergoing surgery, Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Monday, and it remains unclear whether the two-time MVP quarterback will be available by the start of next season.
Mahomes tore his knee ligament when he was knocked to the ground while trying to keep Kansas City’s playoff hopes alive during a 16-13 loss to the Chargers on Sunday. The team confirmed his torn ACL hours after the game.
A source told The Associated Press on Monday that another league star, Green Bay passer Micah Parsons, also tore his ACL on Sunday in his team’s loss to the Broncos.
“I may be sidelined, but I’m not defeated,” Parsons said Monday in a social media post. “This injury is my greatest test – a moment that God has allowed to strengthen my testimony. I believe HE is with me through this storm and chose me for this fight because He knew my heart could handle it. I am deeply grateful to the Packers organization and my teammates for their unwavering support, love and faith in me during this season. I trust in His timing, plan and purpose. I will rise again. I love you all!”
The loss to the Chargers means the Chiefs will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
Mahomes must consult Dr. Dan Cooper, a highly regarded orthopedist and team physician for the Dallas Cowboys, before the ligament repair procedure. The decision to seek a second opinion is simply to confirm the next steps in the quarterback’s recovery process.
“I’ve had a good visit with him, several times. He’s in a good place,” Reid said on a Zoom call Monday. “You know, he always feels like he’s letting people down, but he comes back and he’s ready for the challenge ahead of him, which is the reality right now. He just has to have surgery, whenever that happens, and then move on.”
A number of factors determine the length of recovery time, including the severity of the ACL tear and whether there is other damage to the knee. Most players can return to the field in six to 12 months.
“I think he’s going to attack it, like he does everything else,” Reid said. “There have been some really good quarterbacks who had the same injury and did pretty well after they came back. He’ll take care of it and he’s got good people here to rehab him.”
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow injured the ACL and MCL in his left knee in November 2020, but returned to play the following season and was voted the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year. Colts quarterback Daniel Jones tore his right ACL in November 2023 while with the Giants, and he returned to start Week 1 the following season.
The Chiefs don’t have a quarterback other than Mahomes signed for next season, so the final three weeks of this season could be an audition for veteran backup Gardner Minshew, who ended the loss to the Chargers on Sunday.
He completed three straight passes before an interception on a throw intended for Travis Kelce effectively ended the game.
“I have a lot of confidence in Gardner,” Reid said. “I’ve seen him play with these other teams. He’s started in the league. Our guys have confidence in him, and Chris Oladokun behind him is going to work, and he’s been with us for a while. Those are two guys we have confidence in.”
