Before the defending AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs were officially knocked out of the playoffs in a 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, it looked like Patrick Mahomes could launch one of his vintage comebacks.
Trailing by three with 5:20 left to go in the game, Mahomes and the Chiefs took over on their own eight-yard-line.
On the very first play of the drive, Mahomes connected with his buddy and longtime security blanket through three Super Bowl victories — tight end Travis Kelce — for 11 yards.
Seven plays later Mahomes threw the ball away while being chased by Chargers defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand, and the quarterback’s left knee hyperextended.
Unable to walk on his own power, Mahomes had to be helped to the locker room.
As of 5:30 p.m. EST on Sunday, the Chiefs did not have a medical prognosis on Mahomes, only indicating that he would get an MRI on Monday.
“I don’t know,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said. “But, I mean, it doesn’t look good.”
Mahomes had injured his knee prior to the loss to the Houston Texans loss last Sunday night when NBC cameras captured him using a heating pad on it.
Right tackle Chu Godrick, who held on the heartbreaking play vs. the Chargers, was a former practice squad player. He was starting after Jaylon Moore, who was starting for injured Jawaan Taylor, left the game in the second quarter.
Mahomes already had been playing behind an offensive line missing three starters: Taylor (knee/triceps injury), right guard Trey Smith (ankle injury), left tackle/first round pick Josh Simmons (wrist injury) and Simmons’ replacement, Wanya Morris, (knee injury).
“These young guys had an opportunity to play,” Reid said. “They did a respectable job.’
To man Mahomes’ blind side, the Chiefs started left tackle Esa Pole, an undrafted rookie who didn’t make the roster after training camp. After the Chiefs cut Pole, the New York Jets signed him and then released him. The Chiefs then signed him to their practice squad.
“We took him originally because we thought he would be a good player,” Reid said. “You got to juggle the numbers, which is always a challenge. So he got poached there — taken. And when he got unpoached, we poached him.”
As a result the Chiefs had Pole, someone making $840,000 this year, protecting their most valuable asset — Mahomes, the franchise quarterback who is making $50 million this year as part of his 10-year, $450 million contract.
On the series before the injury to the valuable star, Mahomes threw an interception at the Chargers’ 17-yard-line. Mahomes’ pass intended for running back Kareem Hunt was picked off by Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley.
“He probably wants that one back,” Reid said.
On the very next Chiefs offensive series, Mahomes was injured.
Backup quarterback Gardner Minshew came in, and his interception to Derwin James sealed the loss and the first time the Chiefs would miss the playoffs since 2014 when Alex Smith was in his second year as the team’s starting quarterback.
It’s a stunning outcome for a team who has played in the last three Super Bowls.
“It’s not a great feeling,” Reid said. “I wouldn’t expect it to be.”
Chris Jones, who — like Kelce — has been Mahomes’ teammate for all five of their Super Bowl appearances, hugged Mahomes after the game.
“That’s my brother,” he said. “We love Pat. That’s my guy.”
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