Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL shortly before his team was officially eliminated from playoff contention. For a team that’s used to making the Super Bowl, this is easily the worst day since the franchise turned the keys over to the eventual Hall of Famer. ACL injuries generally have a 9-10 month recovery period, which means that Mahomes probably won’t be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season.
4 Quarterbacks That Could Replace Patrick Mahomes In 2026
Let’s get this out of the way: barring something completely unforeseen, Patrick Mahomes will play for the Chiefs in 2026. However, he probably won’t be ready for Week 1, and he might be a little rusty coming out of the gate. With this in mind, Kansas City should be in the market for a high-level backup who can start a few games and keep the ship afloat. Several free agents matching that description should be available in the offseason.
Main Photo: Jay Biggerstaff – Imagn Images
