The Kansas City Chiefs have yet to make an official announcement regarding Patrick Mahomes' knee injury. That said, Mahomes' own post-game statement on social media seems to speak to the severity of the situation.
For those who missed the worst-case scenario that unfolded at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, the Chiefs not only lost a close game to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 15 by a final score of 16-13, but they also lost the NFL's best player to an injury. The results of the game not only knocked the Chiefs out of the postseason for the first time in more than a decade, but they are also now facing doubts about Mahomes' recovery time from what looks to be a serious injury.
Mahomes was hit with two minutes to play in the fourth quarter, which further injured a knee that's given him problems for much of the season. The Chiefs quarterback has made a weekly appearance on injury reports, but he's been able to not only play every snap but practice in full as well—that is, until now.
Chiefs Kingdom watched Mahomes get taken off the field with help. After checking him in the medical tent, Mahomes needed help limping toward the locker room with a towel over his head. It was a sobering scene for a franchise that was already facing a grim reality of a lost season after playing in five of the last six Super Bowls.
Following the game, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid stated that an MRI would be forthcoming, which would offer clarity in the future. However, Mahomes decided to make a post to address the injury after the game and it didn't sound good.
Don’t know why this had to happen. And not going to lie it’s hurts. 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…
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) December 14, 2025
Mahomes wrote, "Don’t know why this had to happen. And not going to lie it’s [sic] hurts. 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."
Patrick Mahomes' own statement on social media following his knee injury points toward a serious hurdle ahead for player and team.
Reading between the lines on Mahomes' post points toward a tough road ahead, as if the Chiefs quarterback knows that he's going to face a lengthy recovery period, or at least that the injury has been determined to be a very serious one. It's irresponsible to project anything beyond that, but expectations for Mahomes to play again in 2025 are now out the door and all eyes will be tuned in for updates on his possible return with Week 1 of the '26 season in mind.
This much was expected, as Reid admitted that Mahomes' injury "didn't look good" following the game in his comments to the media. One look at the way he looked heading toward the locker room said the same.
It's going to be a tough road ahead for Mahomes, and he seems very aware of it. It's another hurdle in front of a team that appears to be uncertain about a way forward as it is—a tough blow not only for a generational talent trying to rebound in the standings but also for a franchise who already had problems supporting the one player who can take them all the way.