Kansas City Breathes Easier

Well, it seems Kansas City can take a breath—at least a small one.

After Patrick Mahomes had a tough day with a torn ACL, leading to the Chiefs being knocked out of playoff contention for the first time since 2014, some good news surfaced. Coach Andy Reid shared that an MRI following the 16-13 loss to the Chargers showed no major damage to Mahomes’ other ligaments. He’s scheduled for surgery this week, having sought a second opinion from Dr. Daniel Cooper of the Dallas Cowboys.

Reid commented, “He’ll tackle this like he does everything else.” He also mentioned the history of other quarterbacks recovering from similar injuries and expressed confidence that Mahomes has a solid team to support his rehabilitation. Perhaps it’s reassuring to hear that the expectation is for a quick recovery if all goes well with the surgery.

If other ligaments had been hurt, surgery might have been postponed, which is a relief, I think.

This marks Mahomes’ first injury, an ironic twist considering his remarkable career thus far. He has made a name for himself with his ability to make unexpected plays, guiding the Chiefs to three Super Bowls in the last four seasons.

The injury happened during a scramble outside the pocket, and I imagine that was a frustrating moment for him.

Reid shared, “I’ve had some uplifting chats with him. He’s in good spirits, feels a bit like he’s let everyone down, but he’s gearing up for the challenge. It’s just one hurdle to clear.”

Mahomes, who holds the largest contract in NFL history—a whopping 10-year, $450 million deal—has had a stellar career with the Chiefs. As it stands, he’s thrown for 3,587 yards and 22 touchdowns this season, setting personal bests for rushing yards as well.

In a heartfelt message on social media, he expressed some frustration, writing, “I don’t know why this happened. It hurts, but I’m trusting in God and working hard every day. Thanks to everyone in Chiefs Kingdom for the support and prayers. I’ll come back stronger.”