Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes undergoes ACL surgery in Dallas, begins long road to recovery

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes underwent surgery in Dallas on Monday night to repair the ACL he tore in his left knee in a loss to the Chargers, and the team said in statement that he would begin the long rehabilitation process immediately.

The procedure was performed by Dr. Dan Cooper, a highly regarded orthopedist and the team physician of the Dallas Cowboys.

Mahomes tore the ligament when he was spun to the ground while trying to keep Kansas City’s postseason hopes alive late in the 16-13 loss on Sunday. The team announced the severity of the injury in a statement later that night.

“I’ve had a good visit with him, a couple of different times. He’s in a good place,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said earlier Monday. “You know, he always feels like he let people down, but he comes back and he’s ready for the challenge ahead.”

There are a number of factors that go into how long the recovery time will be, including the severity of the tear. Most players are able to return to the field in six to 12 months, which means Mahomes should be back at some point next season.

Gardner Minshew will quarterback the Chiefs through the final three games of this season.

The Chiefs were eliminated from playoff contention for the first time in a decade Sunday with the loss to the Chargers, coupled with three other results that didn’t go their way. They had reached the past seven AFC championship games with Mahomes as the starter, winning three Super Bowls and losing two others along the way, including one to Philadelphia this past February.

“He'll attack it, just like he does everything else,” Reid said of the rehab. “There have been some pretty good quarterbacks that have had the same injury and done pretty well after they came back. He'll get after it, and he's got good people here to rehab him.”

That includes two of his current AFC rivals.

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow tore both the ACL and MCL in his left knee in November 2020, and he recovered in time to play the next season, when he was voted the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year. Colts quarterback Daniel Jones tore his right ACL in November 2023 when he was with the Giants, and he came back to start Week 1 the following season.

Tom Brady tore his ACL and MCL in the Patriots' 2008 opener. He started all 16 games the next year and was voted NFL MVP.

The 30-year-old Mahomes has dodged such severe injuries for most of his career.

The worst may have come in 2019, when Mahomes dislocated his kneecap on a sneak against the Broncos. His most famous may have occurred during the 2022 playoffs, when he sustained a severe high ankle sprain; questions swirled around whether Mahomes would even be able to play the next week, and he not only did but eventually led the Chiefs to a Super Bowl title.

The Chiefs do not have another quarterback besides Mahomes signed for next season, so the last three weeks of this season could be an audition for Minshew, the veteran backup who finished out the loss to the Chargers on Sunday.

He completed three straight passes before an interception on a throw intended for Travis Kelce effectively ended the game.

“I've got a ton of confidence in Gardner,” Reid said. “I've watched him play with these other teams. He's started in the league. Our guys have confidence in him, and Chris Oladokun behind him will work, and he's been with us a while. Those are two guys we trust.”

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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is injured after being tackled by Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Da'Shawn Hand (91) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Justin Eboigbe (92) checks on Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) as Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, center, looks on after Mahomes was injured during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes grabs his knee after being injured during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

WINNIPEG, Manitoba--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 16, 2025--

The Sales and Service Safety Association (S2SA) proudly recognizes Mercedes-Benz Winnipeg as the 100th company to achieve SAFE Work Certification. This achievement represents a major milestone in Manitoba’s journey toward building safer, healthier workplaces and reflects Mercedes’ strong commitment to employee well-being and continuous improvement.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251216319650/en/

At Mercedes-Benz Winnipeg, excellence extends beyond the vehicles they sell; it defines how they work, lead, and care for one another. Since opening in the early 2000s, the dealership has set the standard for premium service across Manitoba, built on a foundation of trust, precision, and people. Step inside their workplace culture in the full video.

Pursuing SAFE Work Certification was a natural evolution of that commitment. Just as Mercedes-Benz sets benchmarks for craftsmanship and performance, the dealership believes its workplace should reflect the same level of care. The certification process enhanced communication, strengthened consistency, and deepened the team’s shared dedication to safety in every aspect of operations.

“Achieving SAFE Work Certification was about more than compliance; it was about ensuring our culture of excellence extends to the well-being of our people,” said Jennifer Coyle, Human Resources Generalist at Mercedes-Benz Winnipeg. “Our team came together with one shared goal: to create an environment where everyone feels valued, protected, and proud to be part of Mercedes-Benz Winnipeg.”

From the showroom to the service bays and collision centre, safety is now an integral part of the Mercedes-Benz Winnipeg experience, another way the dealership delivers the exceptional quality and care its people and customers deserve.

S2SA supported Mercedes-Benz Winnipeg through every stage of the certification journey, from training and safety program development to internal auditing and continuous improvement planning. The certification not only helps reduce workplace incidents but also provides long-term benefits such as lower WCB premiums, greater employee confidence, and a stronger organizational culture.

“Reaching our 100th certified company is a proud moment for everyone at S2SA,” said Lee Rosenberg, Safety Program Director at S2SA. “It’s proof that when businesses commit to doing safety right, real change follows. Mercedes-Benz Winnipeg has shown that leadership and teamwork can turn safety from a requirement into a shared value.”

Since launching theSAFE Work Certificationprogram, S2SA has guided businesses across Manitoba’s sales and service sectors, from auto dealerships to heavy equipment service and rental, in building safer and more productive workplaces. The milestone with Mercedes-Benz Winnipeg underscores the growing number of organizations recognizing safety as both a moral and strategic priority. 

As S2SA continues to support companies on their certification journeys, the goal remains the same: to simplify safety and integrate it into everyday operations across Manitoba’s sales and service industries.

About the Sales and Service Safety Association (S2SA)

The Sales and Service Safety Association (S2SA) is dedicated to providing industry-specific training, consulting services, and SAFE Work Certification to businesses in Manitoba’s sales and service sectors. Our mission is to streamline the process of implementing effective safety programs, ultimately enhancing the well-being of employees and customers alike.

For more information, visit s2sa.ca.

Mercedes-Benz Winnipeg has officially become the 100th company to achieve SAFE Work Certification through the Sales and Service Safety Association. This milestone reflects the dealership’s long-standing commitment to a workplace culture built on trust, precision, and genuine care for its people. With support from S2SA, the team strengthened communication, consistency, and safety practices across every area of operations. This achievement shows what’s possible when leadership and staff move together toward one goal: creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, protected, and proud.