Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes grabs his knee after being injured during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
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After suffering a season-ending knee injury on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes will go to Dallas for a second opinion.
Mahomes, who grew up in Tyler, Texas, and has a home in Dallas, will meet with Dr. Daniel Cooper, the head team physician for the Dallas Cowboys, to examine the torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
Cooper, who works at Carrell Clinic, is often noticeable on the sidelines of Cowboys games because he frequently sports a suit and old-fashioned Cowboy hat.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said the second opinion is not necessarily an indication there is more ligament or cartilage damage in addition to the torn ACL.
It’s standard-operating procedure.
“These guys normally do that,” Reid said. “Most guys get a second opinion … That’s just part of it.”
How Mahomes Is Holding Up
Reid met with Mahomes a couple of times since the injury and said he’s doing well mentally, though the humble superstar felt some guilt for letting the team down.
“(I) had a good visit with him,” Reid said. “He’s in a good place … He’s ready for the challenge ahead. He’s just got to get through surgery, wherever that may be.”
The ACL injury, which will require reconstructive surgery, occurred on the Chiefs’ last offensive drive.
Mahomes threw the ball away while being chased by Chargers defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand, and the quarterback’s left knee hyperextended.
Unable to walk on his own power, Mahomes had to be helped to the locker room.
Shortly thereafter, he posted an uplifting message on social media: “Don’t know why this had to happen. And not going to lie it’s hurts. 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.”
When Will Mahomes Return to Health?
Reid also took an optimistic tone about his recovery from reconstructive surgery, which typically involves replacing the torn ACL with a hamstring or patella tendon and entails a six to nine-month rehabilitation.
“He’ll attack it — just like he does everything else,” Reid said. “There’s been some pretty good quarterbacks that have had this same injury and done pretty well after they came back.”
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer notably suffered a torn ACL in the playoffs of January of 2006 and still returned for Week One of the ensuing season, and physical therapy and medicine has advanced in the almost 20 years since.
“I know how aggressive (Mahomes) is on things,” Reid said. “I would expect a fairly quick recovery for him.”
In the meantime the Chiefs’ starting quarterback for the rest of the 2025 season will be Gardner Minshew, but he is on a one-year, $1.17 million contract.
That puts the Chiefs’ roster in flux if Mahomes, the franchise pillar who is in the middle of a 10-year, $450 million contract, has to miss some of the 2026 season.
“We’ll cross that as we go,” Reid said. “I know he’ll come out on the strong end of this thing.”