Patrick Mahomes wasted no time in starting his comeback, present process surgical procedure Monday night in Dallas to restore the ACL he tore in the future earlier in Kansas Metropolis. It may well typically be weeks earlier than a participant undergoes such a process.
It is the clearest signal that Mahomes is already targeted on recovering, if not returning to play, as quickly as humanly inconceivable. The restoration timeline is mostly 9-12 months.
“Assault each single day over and over,” Mahomes promised in a press release. “… I might be again stronger than ever.”
That Mahomes was going to pour every part into being again stronger than ever was by no means unsure.
It is crucial to the Chiefs, nevertheless, to guarantee that would not turn out to be before ever. This should not be a rush; this must be about getting issues proper, each for Mahomes and the franchise over the lengthy haul. A Week 16 loss to the Tennessee Titans, who simply final week have been contending for the No. 1 choose for a second straight 12 months, reinforces that time. As presently constructed, this staff was overly reliant on Mahomes.
Mahomes’ damage throughout the Chiefs’ Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers was a brutal, if untimely, finish to a brutal season by Kansas Metropolis requirements. After reaching 5 of the previous six Tremendous Bowls (and successful three), the Chiefs are 6-8 and already eradicated from the playoffs.
It was a jarring collapse, but not fully sudden. Empires fall. At all times.
What’s painful and unlucky, although, may also be a possibility — a minimum of if the Chiefs embrace it.
There’s now no must chase a closing playoff spot this season within the long-shot hopes that Mahomes can as soon as once more conjure some postseason magic. Nor does Kansas Metropolis must faux this 12 months’s mediocrity was only a one-off hiccup of a season. It would not must attempt to duct-tape the roster collectively and produce again each fading veteran for an additional title run in 2026.
The Chiefs have an opportunity to face actuality, reexamine every part within the group and attempt to reboot for the second a part of Mahomes’ profession, which could not must even start till 2027.
Roster. Employees. Scheme.
Mahomes is 30 years previous, comfortably in his prime. He seemingly has numerous soccer left in him.
The Chiefs ought to view him as one thing of a rookie once more (they patiently sat him to be taught and develop again then) and construct out with the intention to finest complement his skills going ahead.
The similarities with Tom Brady and New England are apparent. Similar to Mahomes, Brady, within the first recreation of the 2008 season, tore an ACL 9 years into his profession, with three Tremendous Bowls beneath his belt.
Brady’s damage was extra important within the second — the Patriots have been coming off a 16-0 common season earlier than dropping within the Tremendous Bowl. They have been the title favorites. This season, Ok.C. was headed for some exhausting choices it doesn’t matter what.
Both approach, Brady returned and the Patriots continued to evolve round him, establishing a run to 5 extra Tremendous Bowls and three extra championships.
Whether or not Mahomes has the longevity of the otherworldly Brady stays to be seen. He’s definitely going to strive. The job of basic supervisor Brett Veach and coach Andy Reid is to maximise the subsequent 5 to 10 seasons.
Whereas this should not be a full teardown and rebuild, it’s the probability for extra than simply an on-the-fly retooling. How can we wish to play? What sort of gamers can get us there? Do we’d like contemporary voices and ideas on the teaching workers — even when the 67-year-old Reid is in for the foreseeable future?
No must hurry again to run it again; change was wanted.
Kansas Metropolis was already dealing with a wage cap crunch, projected to be about $44 million over finances for subsequent season, per Over the Cap. That is even with the anticipated departure of soon-to-be free agent Travis Kelce (and his $19.8 million cap hit this 12 months).
Extra costly contracts (like proper deal with Jawaan Taylor’s $27 million cap hit) should be moved and the cash spent properly. Others might be packaged to get extra draft capital. The excellent news, after years behind the draft, is that the Chiefs might choose as excessive, if not greater, than they’ve since 2017, once they chosen Mahomes at No. 10.
Discovering a operating recreation, together with an offensive line that may defend Mahomes, is paramount. An enormous large receiver is not far behind. This season’s Chiefs have been too reliant on Mahomes making performs — maybe not coincidentally, he was damage attempting to make a move whereas scrambling.
The line of defense cannot depend on 32-year-old deal with Chris Jones for for much longer, both, particularly along with his $44.85 million cap hit subsequent season. The Chiefs have finished an excellent job creating cornerbacks, however they could want to take action once more as Trent McDuffie nears the top of his rookie deal.
None of that is easy, in fact. Everybody desires nice gamers. There are alternatives, although. The damage calls for choices. There’s a little much less urgency, providing time to focus on good long-term picks (the 2025 draft class produced little this 12 months), buying and selling to amass extra belongings and clearing the cap with a quick window of austerity.
Mahomes goes to be Mahomes. He’ll proceed to be pushed and ultra-competitive: first in his rehabilitation, then as soon as he returns.
So long as the Chiefs have him, they will be contenders. Taking this uncommon window — one they by no means wished — to transform for that future, not simply maintain on till the second he will get again, ought to now be the precedence.
