The 2025 season has been unlike anything Kansas City Chiefs fans have experienced in over a decade. For the first time since 2014, the Chiefs missed the playoffs—a shocking turn of events for a franchise that had become synonymous with winning and excellence. But there’s a silver lining emerging from this dark cloud: Patrick Mahomes is already ahead of schedule in his recovery from a torn ACL.
Mahomes suffered the devastating knee injury late in the Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers that officially eliminated the Chiefs from playoff contention. What could have been a disaster turned into a potential blessing when the superstar quarterback underwent surgery and immediately got to work. Just days after his procedure, Mahomes was back at the facility beginning his rehabilitation—and the progress has been remarkable.
Sources indicate that Mahomes could already bend his knee to 90 percent capacity just days after surgery. For an ACL injury that typically requires 6-8 months of recovery, this early progress is exceptional news. Experts believe the quarterback could be at full strength well before the 2026 season opener, meaning the Chiefs shouldn’t lose their franchise cornerstone for any extended period.
The 2025 collapse has forced the Chiefs organization to take a hard look in the mirror. The team started 0-2, never quite recovered its footing, and finished with a 6-10 record. They were swept by both the Chargers and Broncos—a first since 2013 and 2014, respectively. Multiple factors contributed to the downfall, including injuries, depth issues, and the usual salary cap constraints that plague winning organizations.
But this offseason offers an opportunity for genuine reset. With an estimated $44 million salary cap deficit looming and Travis Kelce potentially departing in free agency, the front office has a chance to reimagine the roster. Head coach Andy Reid and General Manager Brett Veach will need to ask hard questions: What kind of team do we want to be? Do we need fresh coaching voices? How do we maximize the next chapter of the Mahomes era?
The positive news is that Mahomes will have plenty of time to recover fully and the organization can plan strategically for 2026. While this season was certainly painful, Chiefs Nation should remember that great organizations don’t panic during setbacks—they rebuild smarter.