Patrick Mahomes is working through the most physically demanding stretch of his career. The Kansas City Chiefs’ franchise quarterback tore his ACL and LCL during a Week 15 game against the Los Angeles Chargers on December and went under the knife the very next day. He has not missed a day of rehab since, putting in seven-hour sessions at the facility and, according to head coach Andy Reid, consistently asking for more.
General manager Brett Veach described Mahomes as “way ahead of schedule,” and both he and Reid expressed optimism that the 30-year-old will be ready to line up as Kansas City’s Week 1 starter when the Chiefs open against the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football.
Mahomes has built a massive legacy during his years in red and gold. But the version of him that took the field on December 10, 2023, against the Buffalo Bills — and the version that walked off it — is one he has had to live with ever since.
Penalty that cracked Patrick Mahomes’ composure
With less than two minutes left and the Chiefs trailing 20-17, Travis Kelce caught a pass from Mahomes and threw a lateral to Kadarius Toney, who ran the remaining 24 yards for an apparent go-ahead touchdown. The stadium erupted, but officials immediately threw a flag.
Dec 10, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) talks with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) after a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Officials ruled that Toney had lined up offside before the snap. His body was over the line of scrimmage, and he had not checked his alignment with the sideline official. Referee Carl Cheffers later defended the call, explaining that when a receiver lines up over the ball, officials are going to call it.
Forced back into a second-down replay, Mahomes threw three consecutive incomplete passes, turning the ball over on downs and allowing the Bills to run out the clock for a 20-17 win.
Mahomes lost his temper and teammates had to hold him back from the referees. This outburst was rare for the 28-year-old quarterback, who usually stays calm on the field. Still upset after the game, Mahomes told Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen during their midfield handshake, “That was the wildest call I’ve ever seen,” before walking away in frustration.
The regret that followed Patrick Mahomes
When the three–time Super Bowl Champ watched the film, he admitted it was a legitimate foul because Toney was offside. He reached out to Allen by phone to personally apologize for his postgame remarks.
Allen holds no grudge, but Mahomes still regrets how he treated him. Per Fox Sports, Mahomes later said, “I regret the way I acted towards Josh after the game because he had nothing to do with it. I was still hot and emotional, but you can’t do that, man.”
He also made clear he’d accept any fine or discipline the NFL handed down: “You have to accept the consequences of your actions. I obviously didn’t act in the way I usually act, and if there are consequences, I obviously accept those.”
Kansas City has made clear there’s no version of their future without him. The reworked deal averages $64 million per year beginning in 2027, sets a new NFL record for annual value and runs through 2033. At a total value of $504.75 million, it is the first contract in NFL history to clear the half-billion-dollar mark.
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