Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) is no longer a top-tier fantasy option, primarily due to injury uncertainty. Mahomes tore his ACL and LCL in Week 15, and it's currently unclear whether he'll be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season. He's still one of the most talented players in NFL history, but without a clear timeline, fantasy managers shouldn't expect to rely on him as their starting quarterback in Week 1. We also can't ignore the fact that his fantasy production has gone backward. He went from the overall QB1 in 2022 to QB8 in 2023, QB11 in 2024, and QB11 in his shortened 2025 campaign. He has thrown at least 11 interceptions in each of his last five seasons, and he's been held to 27 or fewer touchdowns every year since 2022, when he threw for 41. Josh Allen has taken over as the consensus QB1 in fantasy football, but players like Lamar Jackson, Drake Maye, and Joe Burrow have also become more appealing to managers than Mahomes. Of course, that could change if the Chiefs add a superstar receiver this offseason, and it also wouldn't hurt if tight end Travis Kelce bounces back following a down year.

From RotoBaller

Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (knee) said the rehab from his torn anterior cruciate ligament and lateral collateral ligament is going great and that his goal is to be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 season.

Fantasy Spin: Mahomes is unlikely to do anything during offseason workouts, so fantasy players will need to check on his status during training camp to see if he will be ready for the start of the regular season. He will likely be a low-end No. 1 or high-end No. 2 quarterback in leagues next season.

From TheHuddle

Omar Ruiz of NFL Network reports that Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) says his rehab from ACL and LCL tears in his knee is "going great." According to Ruiz, Mahomes stated that his goal is to be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 season, which doctors have said is possible, but there is still a long way to go. Mahomes underwent surgery in mid-December, so a Week 1 return would require less than nine months of recovery time. Across 14 games before getting injured, the 30-year-old completed 62.7% of his pass attempts for 3,587 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. Mahomes also rushed for 422 yards and five scores, making 2025 the most productive rushing season of his career. His recovery progress will be one of the key storylines for fantasy managers to track throughout the offseason.

From RotoBaller

Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (knee) has begun rehabbing from surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament and lateral collateral ligament in his left knee. The team is hopeful he could return early next season, possibly by Week 1.

Fantasy Spin: It's pretty uncommon to undergo surgery so soon to repair an ACL as you usually have to allow swelling to subside first. So you can tell Mahomes' mind is set on Week 1. Whether or not that is possible is still unknown. He'll be a midrange QB1 option in next year's drafts with some risk. As for the rest of this season, Gardner Minshew will be a matchup play in two-QB leagues or superflex leagues. The Tennessee Titans are the second-best matchup for QBs the last five weeks.

From TheHuddle

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From FantasyLife

Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (knee) was placed on the Reserve/Injured list Wednesday, Dec. 17.

Fantasy Spin: Gardner Minshew will take over the starting job for the rest of the season. He has had success in past seasons and can be a possible option in some two-quarterback leagues this week.

From TheHuddle

Kansas City Chiefs head trainer Rick Burkholder said that quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) was operated on quickly to fix the LCL part of his ACL/LCL knee injury that he suffered in Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, according to Jesse Newell of The Athletic. Mahomes has started his rehab in Dallas this week and will continue through Thursday before returning to KC. The fact that the 30-year-old tore both his ACL and LCL will make his recovery more complicated, but reports suggest that Mahomes is "hellbent" on returning for the Week 1 season opener in 2026. For the final three weeks of the 2025 season, Gardner Minshew will run KC's offense, which is an obvious downgrade for all of the Chiefs' offensive skill players. Mahomes, a three-time Super Bowl MVP, threw for 3,587 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 14 games in 2025 in his ninth NFL season.

From RotoBaller

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From FantasyLife

Updating previous reports, Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (knee) also had a torn lateral collateral ligament, in addition to the anterior cruciate ligament. Both of the ligaments were repaired during surgery.

Fantasy Spin: Recovery time is typically nine months for the ACL alone. It's very possible Mahomes misses the beginning of next season, but knowing his demeanor, he's going to do all he can to be back in time for the start. He'll be a mid-to-low-end QB1 in next year's drafts. Gardner Minshew takes over the rest of this season, and he's only a two-QB or superflex league option at this point. He'll be a consideration this week against the Tennessee Titans.

From TheHuddle

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) "appears to be hellbent" on returning for Week 1 of the 2026 season, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Mahomes suffered a torn ACL in Kansas City's Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, ending his season. The 30-year-old underwent surgery on Monday, so a return in Week 1 of 2026 would be right around nine months of recovery time. While it's obviously too soon to know exactly when Mahomes will return, it's noteworthy that the initial plan is to be ready for the start of the season. By his lofty standards, the two-time MVP had a down year in 2025, completing a career-low 62.7% of his pass attempts for 3,587 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions across 14 games. Gardner Minshew is the current fill-in for Mahomes in Kansas City, but he will be a free agent at the end of the season. If Mahomes were to miss time in 2026, it's unclear who the Chiefs would turn to under center.

From RotoBaller

Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (knee) successfully underwent surgery in Dallas on Monday, Dec. 15 to repair the tear in his left anterior cruciate ligament. He is expected to begin the rehab process immediately.

Fantasy Spin: According to most reports, the general rehab time for a torn ACL is nine months, which would put the return for Mahomes perilously close to the regular-season opener. It's going to be touch-and-go all summer with Mahomes news on how his rehab is going, who might start if he isn't ready for the season opener, etc. Gardner Minshew II will start the rest of the regular season under center in Kansas City with Mahomes on the shelf.

From TheHuddle

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) underwent successful ACL surgery in Dallas on Monday. Mahomes went under the knife with Dr. Dan Cooper to repair a torn left ACL that he suffered in Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. He'll immediately begin the rehab process, and his timetable to return is unknown right now. The 30-year-old is obviously out for the rest of this season and faces an uphill battle to be ready for the beginning of the 2026 campaign. In his absence, Gardner Minshew will take over under center for the final three games of the regular season with the Chiefs officially eliminated from playoff contention. With Mahomes out the rest of the way, KC's offensive weapons need to be downgraded in fantasy football.

From RotoBaller

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said on Monday that quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) is heading to Dallas for a second opinion on the surgery that is required to fix the torn ACL in his left knee that he suffered in Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, according to Nate Taylor of ESPN. It was a dark day in KC on Sunday, as not only did they lose Mahomes for the rest of the season, but they were also eliminated from the postseason for the first time in a decade. Regardless of when Mahomes has surgery on his knee, he'll likely be fighting an uphill battle to be ready for the start of the 2026 season. For the final three games of the year, Gardner Minshew will run the Chiefs' offense, which means all of the team's offensive skill players should be downgraded in fantasy football. Mahomes finishes his ninth year in the NFL with 3,587 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 14 games.

From RotoBaller

Dynasty | Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes completed 16-of-28 passes for 189 yards with no touchdowns and one interception before leaving with a torn ACL in a loss to the Chargers. Dynasty Analysis: Well, that'll cap off a disappointing season for the Chiefs, who will now miss the playoffs. Mahomes will obviously miss the rest of this season and his availability for the start of next year has to be in doubt considering we're in the middle of December here. This is a serious blow to Mahomes' dynasty value as he's now 30 years old. Mahomes will end a solid season with 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions but there are now some doubts about his long-term dynasty value as he'll face a long recovery.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

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From FantasyLife

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From FantasyLife

According to the team, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) has suffered a torn ACL. Mahomes exited Sunday's loss to the Chargers in the fourth quarter after suffering a left knee injury. Following the game, the three-time Super Bowl winner underwent an MRI, which eventually revealed the extent of their injury. The team noted that Mahomes and the club are currently exploring surgical options. As a result, this will keep the 30-year-old quarterback sidelined for the remainder of the 2025 campaign and potentially part of the 2026 season. Before exiting on Sunday, Mahomes went 16-for-28 with 189 yards, an interception, and added 15 yards and a score with his legs. For the remainder of the season, Gardner Minshew is slated to take over QB1 duties in Kansas City. He will carry mid-end QB2 upside in Week 16, facing a weak Tennessee secondary, playing in an offense with Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Travis Kelce.

From RotoBaller

Updating a previous report, Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (knee) had an MRI which showed a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee late in the Week 15 game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Mahomes and the team are exploring surgical options. QB Gardner Minshew is expected to take over the starting quarterback to finish the season.

Fantasy Spin: The news goes from bad to worse for the Chiefs, who were eliminated from the playoffs, and now this. The timetable for Mahomes' return is uncertain, but it's likely training camp and preseason will be unlikely, and the start of the 2026 season could also be in danger for Mahomes, since this injury occurred so late in the season.

From TheHuddle

Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (knee) left the Week 15 game against the Los Angeles Chargers late in the fourth quarter after suffering a left knee injury. Head coach Andy Reid said Mahomes would have an MRI Sunday or Monday, and that the play 'didn't look good' when Mahomes went down. He limped off to the sidelines with help, and he was seen on the telecast being helped to the locker room in the tunnel. Mahomes finished with 189 yards and no passing touchdowns, while running for a score. QB Gardner Minshew II finished up.

Fantasy Spin: Mahomes entered the game with a knee issue, so it's uncertain if he aggravated his existing injury, or if he suffered another. But, the Chiefs were stunningly eliminated from playoff contention, so it's very possible we've seen the last of Mahomes for 2025, although that's pure speculation. Minshew would start if Mahomes is held out as a precaution.

From TheHuddle

Head coach Andy Reid reports that Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) will undergo an MRI on his injured left knee. Mahomes exited Sunday's 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers late in the fourth quarter after landing awkwardly on his left knee. It's never good news when an athlete suffers a non-contact injury, leaving questions about the former Texas Tech Red Raider's status for the remainder of the season. For what it's worth, Reid confirmed what most of us watching already knew, that the injury "didn't look good." Journeyman signal-caller Gardner Minshew worked in Mahomes' stead for the remainder of Week 15's outing, and projects to be the team's solution under center if the latter is forced to miss more time moving forward. Fantasy managers can expect an update on the 30-year-old within the next 24 hours.

From RotoBaller