Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes found a moment of humour amidst a challenging recovery period. The NFL MVP, currently rehabilitating a serious knee injury, lost a friendly bet to rookie teammate Jeffrey Bassa, resulting in a playful penalty caught on camera.
The Friendly Wager and Its Outcome
The bet was centred on the recent Orange Bowl college football game. Mahomes backed his alma mater, the Texas Tech Red Raiders, while Bassa supported his former team, the Oregon Ducks. The game, played on Thursday, did not go Mahomes' way. Oregon dominated the contest, securing a convincing 23–0 victory. This result sealed both the bowl win for Oregon and the loss of the wager for the Chiefs quarterback.
Soon after the game concluded, Jeffrey Bassa took to his Instagram Stories to share the proof of Mahomes paying up. The short video clip showed Patrick Mahomes seated inside the Chiefs' training facility. In a humorous twist, the superstar QB was wearing Bassa's No. 2 Oregon Ducks jersey while continuing his prescribed rehabilitation exercises.
Fan Reactions and Injury Context
The light-hearted moment quickly sparked reactions from fans online. One social media user quipped about the quarterback's ordeal, while another pointed out the rarity of seeing Mahomes in Nike gear, given his long-standing and prominent endorsement deal with Adidas. This off-field incident provided fans with a rare laugh during a difficult phase for the franchise.
The moment of levity comes while Mahomes is in the thick of a gruelling recovery process. He suffered a significant knee injury on December 15 during a game against the Los Angeles Chargers, tearing both his ACL and LCL. His absence has been deeply felt on the field. Since his injury, the Chiefs have struggled, losing games to the Tennessee Titans and Denver Broncos, which effectively ended their playoff hopes for the season.
Looking Ahead: Recovery and Off-Field Moves
Mahomes remains singularly focused on his rehabilitation, with the team and its fans hopeful he will be fully ready for the start of the 2026 NFL season. Despite the physical setback, his off-field business endeavours continue to progress. He recently expanded his major partnership with Adidas to launch a new golf line, showcasing his activities beyond the gridiron.
Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs will play their final game of the season this Sunday in Las Vegas against the Raiders. For now, this good-natured loss to a rookie teammate stands out as one of the lighter stories in an otherwise tough and disappointing stretch for the Chiefs and their injured franchise quarterback.
