NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
The Kansas City Chiefs’ decade-long streak of playoff appearances came to an abrupt end in Week 15 of last season. The Chiefs fell short at Arrowhead Stadium in a game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a season-ending ACL injury trying to pick up some yards in the final minutes of the game.
At the time, the Chiefs said Mahomes would “begin his rehabilitation process immediately,” though his availability for the start of the 2026 season remained uncertain. On Thursday, FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer gave an encouraging update on the three-time Super Bowl MVP’s recovery plan.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes clutches his knee after being injured in the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers on Dec. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffman)
“His pain threshold is different, his work ethic is different,” Glazer said during an appearance on the “Dan Patrick Show.”
“So at first they were like, ‘Oh, you know, start the season.’ I probably wanted to make sure he was [back] faster than that. Far down the road. Because he just attacks things’.
Glazer also noted that doctors were able to perform the procedure before significant swelling set in, which may have sped up Mahomes’ recovery timeline.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) receives assistance for an injury in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Kansas City, Mo. (Jay Biggerstaff/Imagn Images)
“The initial reports were a little on the fringes there, but I want to tell you, Patrick is different,” Glazer added.
“He had (the surgery) before it swelled up. So it was on a Tuesday. I think it was either Thursday or Friday of that week, he was already in the Chiefs training room doing rehab. And he already had his knee bent 90 degrees at that point. He’s just different, he’s healing different.”
In a message posted to social media after suffering the injury, Mahomes thanked fans and said he would put his “trust in God.”
Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up before a game against the Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on December 7, 2025 in Kansas City, Mo. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
“Don’t know why this had to happen,” Mahomes wrote. “And not going to lie, it hurts. But all we can do now is trust God and attack each and every day again and 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.”
The Chiefs finished the 2025 season at 6-11. Earlier this week, the team traded Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams for a package of future draft picks as part of their offseason roster retooling
Related article
