What a devastating way to end the most incredible start to a career for any player in the NFL. In the loss to the Chargers, Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL in his left knee and is out for the season. With three weeks remaining in the regular season, the Kansas City Chiefs are now mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, ending their streak of 10 consecutive seasons, the longest active streak in the league, and just one shy of the NFL record held by Tom Brady and his New England Patriots (2009-2019).
Since Mahomes became a starter in 2018, the Chiefs have won three of the five Super Bowls they have played and reached the AFC Championship game in all of his seven seasons, until now. It is a streak that will surely not be seen again for many years, if ever.
Mahomes’ Injury Coincides with Brady’s Early Career Disaster
The GOAT of the NFL is undoubtedly Tom Brady with his seven rings, more than any single franchise. In the modern era, Patrick Mahomes is the player who has come closest to matching his early success, with both quarterbacks winning three Super Bowls in their first eight seasons.
To make the situation even more eerily similar, Brady also suffered a season-ending injury in his eighth NFL season. Brady’s injury occurred the year after he had lost the Super Bowl, the same situation Mahomes finds himself in now after losing Super Bowl LIX to the Eagles in February and missing out on the Chiefs’ push for a historic fourth consecutive Super Bowl appearance.
The significant difference lies in the timing of the injuries, Brady was injured after just 15 snaps in Week 1 of the 2008 season, ironically against the Chiefs, and was ruled out for the remainder of the year, returning in 2009. However, Mahomes had already played in 13 games this season, performing at his best level in three years. Even if he had led a comeback victory against the Chargers, the Chiefs were going to need significant help from other teams to secure a playoff berth.
Mahomes Faces Long Offseason, Eyes 2026 Return
After coming back from his devastating injury, Brady only missed four games in his career due to injury, all of which occurred during the 2016 season (the same year he ended up winning the Super Bowl with the historic 28-3 comeback against the Falcons).
For Mahomes, who has been one of the league’s most durable players since becoming the Chiefs’ starter (missing only two games due to injury and none since winning his first championship at the end of the 2019 season), the recovery will be long. An ACL tear typically requires an 8-12 month recovery period, meaning a long offseason for Patrick. If Mahomes starts recovery soon, that timeline gives him a chance to be ready for the start of the 2026 season, giving hope to the Chiefs Kingdom that their dynasty will resume next year.
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