Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is going through it after the worst injury of his football career.
The three-time Super Bowl champion and two-time MVP tore his left ACL on the team’s final drive of its game on Sunday, December 14 against the Los Angeles Chargers. Backup QB Gardner Minshew came in and threw an interception a few plays later, which cost Kansas City a chance to win or tie and force an overtime. It also officially ended the Chiefs’ 10-year playoff run.
Mahomes penned a vulnerable and candid message to fans following the injury, which he posted to his social media accounts. Then, on Monday, head coach Andy Reid offered a heartbreaking update on Mahomes’ emotional state as he prepares for surgery and the long road to rehabilitation ahead.
Perhaps the most painful part of it all was Reid making it clear that Mahomes was thinking less about himself and more about his teammates.
“I’ve had a good visit with him a couple different times. He’s in a good place,” Reid said. “He always feels like he let people down, but then he comes back and he’s ready for the challenge ahead, which is what’s real right now. He’s just gotta get through surgery … and then move on from there.”
Patrick Mahomes Not a Guarantee to Return by Week 1 of Next Year
GettyKansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Mahomes’ post to X on Sunday, which came just hours after the injury, was a similar mix of disappointed and optimistic.
“Don’t know why this had to happen. And not going to lie, it’s hurts,” Mahomes wrote. “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.”
Mahomes has a chance to return for the start of next season, though Ian Rapoport of NFL Network said that may not prove the case.
“It is, right now, the middle of December. Nine months from now is the middle of September. That obviously raises the possibility that Mahomes is not ready to start next season,” Rapoport said Monday. “Sometimes quarterbacks, a little different position than most, can be ready, but it is not a guarantee. [Mahomes] faces a long road of recovery.”
Chiefs Potentially Facing Major Organizational, Personnel Changes During Offseason
GettyKansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
There is also the question of what team and offense Mahomes will be coming back to.
Tight end Travis Kelce has bucked league-mandated media availability on multiple occasions this season, recently turned 36 years old and is playing on the final year of his current contract. With a wide range of money-making opportunities awaiting him off the field, the Chiefs out of the playoffs and Mahomes headed to the hospital, Kelce may move on from the NFL a month from now.
Running backs Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt are also in the final years of their respective deals, and that position is one the Chiefs sought to upgrade ahead of the trade deadline.
Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy could be up for the Tennessee Titans head coaching position given his previous Chiefs connections with that organization’s general manager, and it wouldn’t be surprising if Kansas City brought in a viable veteran starter at quarterback as insurance in case Mahomes can’t get back for Week 1.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Andy Reid Gives Heartbreaking Update on Patrick Mahomes After ACL Tear appeared first on Heavy Sports.