The 2025 campaign for Patrick Mahomes came to a heartbreaking conclusion on the turf in Kansas City. With less than two minutes remaining in a critical matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, the star quarterback rolled right and was hit awkwardly when defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand rolled up on his left knee. The resulting ACL injury not only sidelined him for the rest of the year but also snapped the Chiefs’ impressive decade-long streak of playoff appearances.
Throughout the 2025 regular season, which spanned 14 games, Mahomes recorded 315 completions out of 502 attempts. He accumulated 3,587 passing yards along with 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. These figures represented career lows across the board for the veteran signal-caller, who had previously captured three Super Bowl titles and established himself as one of the league’s most dynamic performers.
Such underwhelming production fueled intense discussions among fans and analysts alike about whether the 30-year-old quarterback might be entering a period of decline. Questions about his long-term viability began to surface more frequently, casting a shadow over what had once seemed like a guaranteed championship contention window for Kansas City.
Medical experts generally project that full recovery from ACL reconstruction surgery requires around nine months. This timetable would likely allow Mahomes to make his return sometime during Week 2 or Week 3 of the upcoming season. However, Chiefs VP of sports medicine Rick Burkholder emphasized flexibility in that schedule, stating that “every player is different, every position is different.”
In the meantime, the organization is taking every precaution during the offseason program. Head coach Andy Reid has intentionally limited Mahomes’ involvement in full-team 11-on-11 drills at minicamp. This measured approach aims to shield the quarterback from any unexpected collisions while he progresses through the early, most vulnerable stages of rehabilitating both his ACL and LCL.
Beyond the physical healing process, a deeper conversation has emerged regarding Mahomes’ potential to regain his previous level of dominance on the field. Observers are particularly focused on how the injury might affect his signature playing style that relies heavily on creativity and athleticism.
During a recent episode of the UK NFL podcast Across The Pod, the annual “Start, Bench, Cut” discussion brought this concern into sharp focus. Guest Oliver Kent addressed the topic directly.
“I do start to wonder about Mahomes, in terms of a lot of his best play is the improvisational stuff — the off-the-cuff stuff. With an injury and getting older as well, is he going to start losing that ability? Does he really have to change his style of playing, become more of a pocket passer kind of guy?”
This observation highlights a core element of Mahomes’ game. His exceptional ability to improvise outside structured plays—delivering sidearm passes, escaping pressure through scrambles, and keeping drives alive—has defined his success. Yet these movements demand significant lateral agility and place considerable strain on the knee joint, raising legitimate worries about sustainability after major reconstruction.
The challenges extend well past individual performance. While tight end Travis Kelce has committed to returning for his 14th NFL season, the supporting cast around Mahomes has noticeably weakened. Wide receiver Rashee Rice is expected to miss time due to a league-imposed suspension, further thinning an already depleted group of skill players.
Competition within the AFC West has also intensified. The Denver Broncos have shown clear signs of progress, while the Chargers continue to pose a formidable threat with their young talent. Even assuming Mahomes returns at full strength in 2026, the path to another deep postseason run appears far more difficult than in previous years, potentially closing the window on this current era of Chiefs contention.
In the podcast’s “Start, Bench, Cut” segment, Kent ultimately chose to start Mahomes for the upcoming season. He justified the selection by saying the quarterback had earned it “just for his record and what he has done, what we know he can do.”
Still, the very need to invoke past accomplishments rather than current form underscores a notable evolution in how experts view the former MVP.
Only a short time ago, placing full confidence in Mahomes required no explanation whatsoever. Today, that certainty has been replaced by cautious optimism and lingering questions about his ability to adapt and excel once more.
