NFL star Patrick Mahomes tore his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee while trying to keep the Kansas City Chiefs' playoff hopes alive in the final seconds of a 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, and the team said the star quarterback was considering surgical options. It is the most significant injury of Mahomes' nine-year stellar career, a two-time NFL Most Valuable Player who has led the Chiefs to three Super Bowl titles and reached the AFC championship game in each of his previous seven seasons as Kansas City's starter. This year, the Chiefs won't even make the playoffs, and Mahomes won't return to the field until sometime in 2026. The Chiefs had just crossed midfield with less than two minutes left to play when Mahomes headed toward the Kansas City sideline, then tried to get rid of the ball. He was brought down after throwing a pass that was intercepted by Chargers defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand, and immediately clutched his left knee as coaches rushed to him. Mahomes was eventually helped to the blue injury tent on the sideline, but only stayed there for a moment. He soon emerged with staff members on either side of him, limping toward the locker room with a white towel over his head. Minutes later, the team announced that the study confirmed Mahomes' ligament tear. Gardner Minshew entered the game and completed three consecutive passes to give the Chiefs a chance. But he was intercepted by Derwin James on a contested ball intended for Travis Kelce with 14 seconds remaining, sealing the Chargers' season sweep over Kansas City.
