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The Kansas City Chiefs’ decades-long streak of playoff appearances came to an abrupt end this past Sunday. The Chiefs fell short at Arrowhead Stadium in a critical game with the Los Angeles Chargers.
The 16-13 loss dropped Kansas City’s record to 6-8 and mathematically eliminated last season’s AFC champions from the playoffs. To make matters worse, star quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a season-ending ACL injury trying to pick up some yards in the final minutes of the game.
Mahomes underwent a procedure in Dallas to repair damage to his left ACL, the Chiefs confirmed Monday. According to a report by NFL Network, a doctor also had to repair the torn LCL in Mahomes’ knee. The Chiefs later said Mahomes would “begin his rehabilitation process immediately.”
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New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) after the game at Gillette Stadium on December 8, 2019 in Foxborough, Mass. (Paul Rutherford/USA TODAY Sports)
During the Week 16 edition of NFL legend Tom Brady’s “Let’s Go!” podcast, the seven-time Super Bowl champion reflected on the grueling rehabilitation process he endured after his ninth season ended due to a similar injury.
“It’s a tough rehab. It’s one of the toughest rehabs. I just remember every day pushing myself,” Brady said. “And it’s always the same amount of pain and discomfort, except you progress through that pain and discomfort, which is a tough psychological thing to fight. You feel, God, every day, it doesn’t feel right. Except you get range of motion and you get strength and you’re on the road to recovery. So I wish him the best.”
(L-R) Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes participate in the quarterback roundtable ahead of Capital One’s The Match VI – Brady & Rodgers vs. Allen & Mahomes at Wynn Golf Club on June 1, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images for The Match)
Brady then offered some advice on where Mahomes should place his focus during the process.
“The only thing you can do is focus on what’s in front of you and don’t look back,” he said. “And just say, OK, this is part of what my career is going to be. And a lot of people have been through it and a lot of people have overcome it. You just have to put so much diligence into the rehab process. And I always feel like the sooner you rehab, the sooner you can get back to playing the sport that you know you love.”
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Brady added: “I think sometimes people want to pace themselves. Instead of training mode, they’re in rehab mode. I think you have to get through rehab mode as quickly as possible and then you get back into training mode. But it takes a total commitment, and it’s the same commitment that the great professional athletes make to be good at their craft. When you go through the rehab process, you need that same level of focus.”
After appearing in just one game in 2008 due to injury, Brady recovered and played in every regular season game in 2009. He then received NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors.
In a message posted to social media after suffering the injury, Mahomes thanked fans and said he would put his “trust in God.”
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes clutches his knee after being injured during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (Reed Hoffmann/AP Photo)
“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.”
Gardner Minshew will step in for Mahomes beginning with the Chiefs’ Week 16 matchup with the Tennessee Titans.
