The Kansas City Chiefs’ primary goal of reaching the playoffs unfortunately slipped away after posting a 6–8 record heading into Week 16. Looking to close out the season with some pride, they will travel to Tennessee to take on the Titans without Patrick Mahomes on the field, as veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew is set to step in as his replacement.
The decision to make this change in Andy Reid’s starting lineup has nothing to do with tactics; instead, it stems from the serious injury Patrick Mahomes suffered last weekend against the Los Angeles Chargers at Arrowhead.
Being eliminated from postseason contention may have delivered a tough blow to a franchise with Super Bowl aspirations, but an even harsher setback is the loss of its biggest star, who is expected to be sidelined for an extended period of time.
What injury did Patrick Mahomes suffer?
Patrick Mahomes suffered a season-ending injury to his left knee during the Chiefs’ loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on December 14, 2025. Medical evaluations confirmed that he sustained both a torn ACL and LCL, which required immediate surgery.
Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs.
While the procedure was successful, he is expected to face an intense rehabilitation process of approximately nine months. Consequently, Mahomes is aiming for a potential return by Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season, though his availability for the start of training camp remains uncertain.
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The Minshew gamble
In his limited snaps against the Chargers, Gardner Minshew recorded 22 passing yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception. Despite these shaky numbers, head coach Andy Reid is leaning on Minshew’s veteran poise to lead the team through the final three games of the season. Reid remains confident that Minshew’s experience is exactly what the offense needs to remain competitive following Mahomes’ injury.
The Chiefs’ final stretch
Already eliminated from playoff contention, the Chiefs will close out their season with a road game against the Titans, a Christmas home matchup versus the Broncos, and a final trip to face the Raiders. With nothing left to play for but pride, these last three games will serve as a crucial evaluation period for the roster heading into the offseason.
