ESPN analyst not surprised by rumored timeline return for Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

By the end of the day, the Chiefs were eliminated from contention for the 2025 playoffs and found out that star quarterback Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL in his left knee. If there are no setbacks, the three-time Super Bowl MVP could return for the start of next season.

Patrick Mahomes is a constant name in every discussion about the greatest NFL greats. Over the years, he has dominated the Super Bowl.

Seventeen years apart, Mahomes and Brady suffered season-ending knee injuries after Super Bowl losses, sparking striking parallels in their careers.

The theme of the 2025 NFL regular season has been one of extreme unpredictability: Super Bowl favorites performing below usual standards, unexpected comebacks and breakout teams taking the league by storm.

Mahomes threw three interceptions and no touchdowns in the Chiefs' 20-10 loss to Houston that dealt a major blow to their playoff hopes. Hurts threw four interceptions, lost a fumble and had no TDs in a 22-19 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Kansas City Chiefs have been eliminated from playoff contention, losing 16-13 to the Los Angels Chargers on Sunday in a must-win game. It means the Chiefs will not participate in the playoffs for the first time since 2014 and three-time Super Bowl winner Patrick Mahomes,

For the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era, the Chiefs aren't postseason-bound. Vinnie Iyer looks at how Kansas City got here.