Patrick Mahomes Could Get Surpassed During The NFL Postseason

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Jan 8, 2026 9:31 AM ET

For the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era, the Kansas City Chiefs won't be competing in the playoffs. The reigning AFC champions finished the 2025 season with an underwhelming 6-11 record.

Unfortunately for Mahomes, his season ended with a torn ACL and LCL in Week 15 against the Los Angeles Chargers. Less than 24 hours after suffering the injury, he had a procedure done by Dr. Dan Cooper. The Chiefs are hopeful that Mahomes will be back on the field for the start of the 2026 season.

"He's so positive right now," Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said. "Like Rick said, he attacked this thing the day of. You wouldn't expect anything less. 'Get me up, get me going,' he's basically saying, an hour after the game. 'Brace me up and let me go.' It's not one of those injuries, obviously, but that's his mindset. I think he'll do great with the rehab. He's a pretty fast healer that way. And his attitude is 90% of things, how you go about it. How you're willing to push through the pain to get right."

In the meantime, Mahomes will have to watch the postseason from the sidelines.

Nov 23, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) gets ready prior to a game against the Indianapolis Colts at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images© Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Mahomes could lose his grip on the all-time touchdown list.

Despite entering the NFL in 2017, Mahomes has already thrown the second-most touchdown passes (46) in the playoffs. The only quarterback ahead of him is Tom Brady with 88 touchdown passes.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is right behind Mahomes for the No. 2 spot with 45 touchdown passes. Since he's facing the Houston Texans on Monday night, there's a chance he'll leapfrog Mahomes.

Even if Rodgers ends up being No. 2 for most touchdown passes thrown in the playoffs, it probably won't be long before Mahomes reclaims his spot behind Brady.

After all, Mahomes is just 30 years old. We'd have to imagine he'll be back in the playoffs fairly soon.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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