Patrick Mahomes will seek a second opinion on his torn left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) before undergoing surgery, leaving the Kansas City Chiefs uncertain whether the two-time MVP quarterback will be fit for the start of the 2026 season, head coach Andy Reid confirmed on Monday.
Mahomes suffered the injury during a 16-13 defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, which ended the Chiefs' hopes of reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2014. The team confirmed the ACL tear shortly after the game. Reid said Mahomes is scheduled to see Dr Dan Cooper, a highly regarded orthopedist and team physician for the Dallas Cowboys, to confirm the next steps in his recovery.
Another NFL star, Green Bay Packers pass rusher Micah Parsons, also tore his ACL during Sunday's loss to the Denver Broncos, a source told the Associated Press. Parsons later posted on social media: 'I may be sidelined, but I am not defeated... I will rise again.'
Recovery from an ACL tear typically takes six to 12 months, depending on the severity and whether other damage occurred. Reid expressed confidence in Mahomes' ability to rehabilitate, citing examples of quarterbacks like Joe Burrow and Daniel Jones who successfully returned from similar injuries. The Chiefs currently have no other quarterback signed for next season, leaving veteran backup Gardner Minshew as a potential starter for the final three games of the current campaign.
Minshew, who finished the loss to the Chargers after Mahomes' injury, completed three consecutive passes before throwing an interception intended for Travis Kelce. Reid praised Minshew's experience and the confidence the team has in him and third-stringer Chris Oladokun.
