Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL on December 14 during the Chiefs’ loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. The injury ended his season and left Kansas City facing a long recovery timeline. The club has not given a firm return date. The focus now is on getting ready for the next season.
Kansas City plans to keep Mahomes at the center of its future. For now, the team must find a quarterback who can steer the offense while Mahomes recovers. Names have surfaced. One option is Russell Wilson. Greg Auman of Fox Sports suggested Wilson as a stopgap. Auman wrote that Wilson’s 2024 numbers with the Pittsburgh Steelers, “16 touchdowns against five interceptions while going 6-5”, make him appealing for a temporary role.
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Amid that talk, former receiver and analyst Harry Douglas offered sharp advice. He said the Chiefs must prioritize Mahomes’ protection. “Protecting Patrick Mahomes…is the most important thing,” Douglas said. He warned against trading big assets for a running back like Jeremiah Love or making moves that risk the franchise’s future.
“No, you don’t sell the farm to go get a player at the running back position when your quarterback is coming off an ACL and he needs to be protected. That’s the most important thing in this whole equation for me, ” Douglas added.
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.@HDouglas83 on what the Chiefs should prioritize this offseason 🏈 pic.twitter.com/ZpeZYLzv43
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) March 5, 2026
The message is clear. Keep Patrick Mahomes healthy and limit risky, costly moves. The Chiefs finished 6-11 in 2025 and must rebuild confidence on offense. Short-term signings or veteran stopgaps could help. But the priority remains Mahomes’ recovery and protecting the player around whom the franchise is built.
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