Patrick Mahomes’ injury hasn’t kept him away from the Chiefs: His new role revealed

The Chiefs quarterback has missed the past two games after suffering a season-ending torn ACL and LCL in his left knee during a Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. The injury sent Mahomes to injured reserve and officially ended his 2025 season.

Despite being unable to suit up, Mahomes has remained closely involved with the team, continuing to provide leadership as the Chiefs prepare for their matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Following Wednesday’s practice, Chiefs center Creed Humphrey spoke about the quarterback’s presence.  “He’s been around,” Humphrey said. “He’s still helping out, leading guys.”

Chiefs C Creed Humphrey says Patrick Mahomes continues to be involved in various ways despite his injury: “He’s been around. He’s still helping out, leading guys.”

— Charles Goldman (@goldmctNFL) December 31, 2025

Leadership without a helmet
The knee injury occurred late in the Dec. 14 loss to the Chargers, a defeat that officially eliminated the Chiefs from playoff contention. Since then, Kansas City has continued to slide, entering Sunday with a 6-10 record and riding a five-game losing streak.

The Chiefs currently sit third in the AFC West, trailing the Denver Broncos (13-3) and the Chargers (11-5). While Denver is pushing for the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs and Los Angeles has secured a wild-card spot, Kansas City is playing out the final weeks of a disappointing campaign.

Off the field, Mahomes has entered an unfamiliar rhythm for December – one focused more on recovery and family than game planning.

His wife, Brittany Mahomes, has shared glimpses of that quieter chapter on social media. Holiday photos showed the family in matching Christmas pajamas, relaxed and smiling, a stark contrast to the usual intensity surrounding the NFL postseason race.

Man. Poor Patrick Mahomes and his torn ACL. Onto a MUCH better 2026! Happy new years, yall! 🤞🏼🪩🥳 pic.twitter.com/evf1M9i8n2

— Lexi (@lexiosborne) January 1, 2026

Other moments highlighted time with their children, including son Golden, whose balance and coordination drew playful comparisons to his father’s athletic ability.

New Year’s Eve offered another snapshot of Mahomes’ current reality. As fireworks lit up the night, the family celebrated together, with Mahomes standing nearby in a large knee brace – a visible reminder of how dramatically this season has changed.

While the Chiefs close out a lost year, Patrick Mahomes remains embedded in the organization, leading in different ways as he begins the long road back toward the next NFL season.