“Don’t know why this had to happen. And not going to lie it’s hurts,” Mahomes said in a statement posted to the social media website, X, minutes before the news of his torn ACL was made public.
“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, who had been dealing with a knee issue the past few weeks, was constantly harassed by L.A.’s defense before suffering the injury, getting sacked five times and sustaining several more hits while the Chargers pass rush pressured him on 48.6% of his dropbacks, per Next Gen Stats.
Sunday’s loss also officially eliminated the Chiefs from postseason contention for the first time in Mahomes’ eight years as a starter and the first time overall since 2014.
Mahomes, a two-time league MVP and three-time Super Bowl MVP, had previously made at least the AFC Championship Game in each season of his career as starting QB (since 2018).
Gardner Minshew replaced Mahomes under center for K.C.’s final drive, throwing a game-clinching interception in the Chiefs’ last offensive play of the afternoon.
The Chiefs (6-8) play at the Tennessee Titans (2-12) in Week 16.
