Patrick Mahomes Faces the Longest Road of His Career as Chiefs Star Seeks Second Opinion on Devastating ACL Injury
Patrick Mahomes has never been one to run from adversity, but this time, adversity caught him from behind. Just one day after suffering a season-ending torn ACL in his left knee, the Kansas City Chiefs’ franchise quarterback is heading to Dallas to seek a second medical opinion — a move that underscores both the gravity of the moment and the care being taken with the most valuable player in football.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid confirmed Monday that Mahomes will consult Dr. Dan Cooper, the Dallas Cowboys’ team physician, before finalizing his surgical and rehabilitation plan. Reid was quick to calm speculation, emphasizing that the second opinion is routine and not an indication of further ligament damage. “Most guys get a second opinion,” Reid said. “That’s just part of it.” Still, when a two-time MVP travels states away for medical clarity, the entire league pays attention.
The injury occurred in the most Mahomes-like way possible — scrambling, improvising, refusing to quit. Late in Sunday’s loss to the Chargers, Mahomes tried to escape pressure when defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand caught him from behind, driving into his left leg. The stadium fell silent as Mahomes grabbed his knee, a moment that instantly felt heavier than just another injury timeout. Within hours, MRI results confirmed the nightmare: a torn ACL.
This is uncharted territory for both Mahomes and the Chiefs. For nearly a decade, Kansas City’s identity has revolved around No. 15’s availability, brilliance, and durability. Three Super Bowl titles, seven straight AFC Championship Game appearances, and a reputation for defying pain have built an aura of invincibility. Now, for the first time in the Mahomes era, the Chiefs are eliminated from playoff contention — and forced to confront a future without him, at least temporarily.
Reid revealed that Mahomes has been wrestling emotionally with the moment, feeling as though he let people down — a reaction that only reinforces why teammates and coaches rally around him. “He’s in a good place,” Reid said. “He’s ready for the challenge ahead.” That challenge will include surgery, months of rehab, and a race against the calendar as the 2026 season looms. While typical ACL recovery timelines stretch close to nine months, Reid wouldn’t rule out a quicker return, citing Mahomes’ intensity and support system.
For now, Kansas City’s priority is simple: protect the future. Mahomes finished his shortened 2025 season completing 62.7 percent of his passes for 3,587 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions — numbers that feel almost secondary given the moment. The Chiefs may change schemes, personnel, or philosophies this offseason, but nothing matters more than getting their quarterback healthy again. Because the franchise doesn’t just run through Mahomes — it believes through him.
