Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes Suffers Season-Ending Torn ACL
The Kansas City Chiefs are facing a significant setback following the injury of their quarterback, Patrick Mahomes. The team announced that Mahomes has torn the ACL in his left knee, effectively ending his season. This injury occurred during a pivotal moment in the game against the Los Angeles Chargers, where Kansas City suffered a 16-13 defeat.
Impact of Mahomes’ Injury
With less than two minutes remaining in the game, Mahomes attempted to throw the ball away while rolling to his right, resulting in the injury. After the incident, he was replaced by backup quarterback Gardner Minshew, who subsequently threw an interception shortly thereafter.
Patrick Mahomes’ Reaction
Mahomes expressed his disappointment on social media, stating, “Don’t know why this had to happen. And not going to lie, it hurts. But all we can do now is trust in God and attack every single day.” He extended his gratitude to Chiefs Kingdom for their support and encouragement, assuring fans he will return stronger.
Season Overview
The loss against the Chargers has now dropped the Chiefs’ record to 6-8. Alongside this defeat, victories by the Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans, and Jacksonville Jaguars have eliminated Kansas City from playoff contention for the 2023 season.
- Chiefs’ current record: 6-8
- Mahomes’ passer rating this season: 89.6
- Completion percentage: 62.7%
This marks a drastic decline for the Chiefs, who just a year ago saw Mahomes lead them to their fifth Super Bowl appearance in six seasons. In contrast, this year, the team has struggled significantly in close games, falling to a 1-7 record in one-score contests, a stark difference from their previous 12-0 record.
Contract and Future Outlook
Mahomes, age 30, is in the fourth year of his substantial 10-year, $450 million contract, signed in 2020, securing him through 2031. This season’s injury means that he is set to miss the remaining three regular-season games. Notably, this year is the first since Mahomes became the starter in 2018 that he will not compete in the AFC championship game or the playoffs.
For the Chiefs, this season marks another historic moment as they will not participate in the playoffs for the first time since 2014, snapping a streak of winning the AFC West every year since 2015.
