> At a Glance
> – Patrick Mahomes posted two contrasting Instagram photos on Jan. 6
> – He tore his ACL on Dec. 14, ruling him out for rest of season
> – Chiefs missed playoffs for first time in 10 years, finishing 6-11
> – Why it matters: The three-time Super Bowl MVP eyes Week 1 2026 return
Patrick Mahomes has broken his silence since season-ending knee surgery, and the quarterback’s Instagram post is fueling comeback buzz across the NFL.
The Cryptic Post
On Jan. 6, Mahomes uploaded a two-slide carousel captioned only with a clock emoji. Slide one captures him trudging off the field, helmet down, jersey grass-stained. Slide two freezes him mid-air, ball secured, as Chiefs Kingdom erupts behind a touchdown leap.
The stark contrast reads like a before-and-after teaser, and fans ran with it.
- “Biggest comeback of all-time, book it!” one commenter wrote.
- “Can’t wait to have the 🐐 back next season ❤️,” added another.
Brittany Mahomes chimed in with three red hearts and reposted the set to her Stories, overlaying: “My guy” plus another heart.
Injury Timeline
Mahomes went down late in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers on Dec. 14 while fighting to keep playoff hopes alive. Scans revealed tears in both his ACL and LCL.
He underwent surgery in Dallas the next day and has since rehabbed in Kansas City. Chiefs VP of sports medicine Rick Burkholder told reporters the estimated recovery window is “nine months,” targeting Week 1 of the 2026 season.
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Dec. 14, 2025 | ACL/LCL tear vs. Chargers |
| Dec. 15, 2025 | Surgery in Dallas |
| Jan. 6, 2026 | Comeback-themed IG post |
| Sept. 2026 | Projected return |
What’s Next
Rehab remains on track, and Mahomes-who turns 31 this offseason-has never missed a Week 1 start when healthy. The 6-11 Chiefs, meanwhile, will enter the draft looking to retool around their franchise cornerstone.
Key Takeaways
- Mahomes used a simple clock emoji to signal he’s counting down to return
- Recovery timeline puts him on pace for 2026 opener
- Chiefs missed playoffs for first time since 2015
- Fan reaction instantly framed the post as a comeback vow
With the clock ticking, Kansas City hopes its signal-caller can once again flip the script from defeat to celebration.
