The 2025 NFL campaign concluded in a manner the Kansas City Chiefs never anticipated. Their season, built on championship aspirations, turned into a major disappointment. The central reason was the unexpected exit of their star quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, due to a significant knee injury.
A Season Derailed by Injury
Without Mahomes leading the offence, the team struggled profoundly. Even a player of Travis Kelce's calibre found it difficult to steer games in their favour. The Chiefs faced setbacks in each match, marking a stark departure from their usual dominant record. During his time away from the field, Mahomes turned his support to his alma mater, Texas Tech, as they pursued a spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals. However, that hope was crushed when Oregon shut them out, a defeat that resonated personally with the quarterback.
A Humorous Glimpse Amidst Recovery
Not long after that loss, a lighter moment emerged. Chiefs rookie Jeffrey Bassa shared a humorous video that quickly captured fan attention across social media. The clip showed Patrick Mahomes wearing an Oregon Ducks jersey, specifically Bassa's No. 2 jersey. This was the result of a lost bet related to the Texas Tech-Oregon game. It offered a rare, playful look at the QB embracing some light-hearted embarrassment while sidelined from his team's crucial games.
Bassa, who joined the Chiefs from Oregon, had a notable college career. He started as a safety before transitioning to linebacker, showing versatility and becoming a steady defensive presence. However, his rookie year in the NFL has seen him primarily contribute on special teams, with limited defensive snaps so far.
Focus Shifts to Rehabilitation and the Future
As the Chiefs prepared to close their season against the Las Vegas Raiders, Mahomes was not on the field. His focus is now entirely on rehabilitation. He underwent surgery to repair torn ACL and LCL injuries in his left knee and has remained in Kansas City, staying connected with the team.
Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy recently addressed Mahomes' recovery. While avoiding a specific timeline, he expressed strong confidence. "Obviously, the question is going to be Pat with his knee," Nagy said. "And, again, I never would want to put any type of timeline on him, but I know him way too well..." Nagy emphasized the need for the team to move forward and perform at their best in the upcoming final game.
The 2025 season stands as a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in professional sports. For the Chiefs and their fans, all eyes are now on Mahomes' recovery journey, hoping for a powerful return in the seasons to come.
