Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL during Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, an injury that not only ended his afternoon but also marked a historic low point for the franchise in the Mahomes era.

An MRI confirmed the diagnosis, and an official statement subsequently announced that ‘Patrick and the club are currently exploring surgical options’. Regardless of the medical solution selected, the multiple Super Bowl and MVP winner will not be back in action before the 2026 campaign.

Mahomes was injured on the final drive of a game Kansas City needed to win, twisting awkwardly while attempting to extend a play to his right. As he threw the ball away, his left leg buckled awkwardly on planting his foot, and Mahomes immediately grabbed his left knee. After treatment, he needed assistance to stand and leaned on trainers as he limped to the locker room.

Minutes before the injury was officially confirmed by the Chiefs, Mahomes addressed the situation in a statement posted on his social media, confirming fans’ worst fears.

“Don’t know why this had to happen. And not going to lie, it’s hurts,” he wrote. “But all we can do now is trust in God and attack every single day over and over again. Thank you Chiefs kingdom for always supporting me and for everyone who has reached out and sent prayers. I will be back stronger than ever.”

Head coach Andy Reid said after the game that the injury appeared serious even before the MRI results were known.

“I don’t know, but it didn’t look good,” when asked for an update immediately after leaving the field. “I mean you guys saw it. We’ll just see where it goes.”

Mahomes had been dealing with a knee issue in recent weeks and faced constant pressure from the Los Angeles defense before suffering the latest injury. He was sacked five times and pressured on 48.6 percent of his dropbacks, according to Next Gen Stats.

With Mahomes sidelined, Gardner Minshew took over at quarterback for Kansas City’s final drive, which ended in a game-clinching interception for the Chargers. Reid acknowledged the difficulty of the situation Minshew was thrust into, having watched Mahomes take the majority of snaps in the regular season campaign.

“Yeah, that’s a tough deal, [but] he’s a big boy,” Reid said. “I mean he’s done it, he’s played before, so he understands the role.”

Minshew, himself, added that, regardless of the season as a whole, the last few weeks had been especially difficult given what Mahomes has endured out on the field.

“It’s been hard to watch for Pat, [as] that dude puts so much into it,” the former Jacksonville draft pick sighed. “I don’t think I’ve ever respected anybody I’ve played with more. I’ve never seen anybody I’ve played with give so much of themselves to the team, and to not get the results is hard, but I have more confidence in him than anybody to come back and be better than ever.”

Sunday’s loss officially eliminated the Chiefs from postseason contention, marking the first time Kansas City has missed the playoffs since 2014 — and the first time in Mahomes’ eight seasons as a starter. The talisman had previously reached at least the AFC Championship Game in every year since becoming the starting quarterback in 2018.

Reid said the mood in the locker room reflected both the loss and the long-term implications.

“Guys are down. They busted their butt to win the game, and I wouldn’t expect anything less,” he reported. “It’s not a great feeling [and] I wouldn’t expect it to be after losing a game. I can’t tell you I’m happy. It’s a tough deal there when you deal with that but, at the same time, we’ve got a few more games here we have to take care of.”

Players echoed the head coach’s sentiments, emphasising the need to finish the season with effort and pride.

“Yeah, it sucks, but we have three games left,” center Creed Humphrey said. “You can take it one of two ways: you can mope around and cry about it, or you can come in ready to work and get ready for these next few weeks.”

Defensive veteran Chris Jones reflected on the broader meaning of the season ending early.

“Every year is a journey. Success is rented every year,” the lineman said. “Just because last year’s team made the Super Bowl, that doesn’t guarantee success. You know, we have three more games which we have to finish strong, as competitors, as employees of this organisation.”

Minshew said he felt the weight of Mahomes’ injury as he entered the game but understood the responsibility of the role with the game still on the line, albeit with the playoff clock ticking furiously against the Chiefs.

“Yeah, that’s kind of the job you’re in,” Minshew said. “Unfortunately, for me to play that’s what happens and you have to compartmentalise.”

Kansas City, now 6-8, will look to close out the season with victory in their three remaining games, starting with a Week 16 matchup on the road against the Tennessee Titans.