Outta Pocket with RG3 — Episode Summary

Episode: Patrick Mahomes Tears His ACL: What This Means for the Future of the Chiefs AND the NFL
Date: December 15, 2025
Hosts: Robert Griffin III (RG3) & Grete Griffin

Overview

This episode dives into the seismic impact of Patrick Mahomes’ ACL tear, ending an 11-year Kansas City Chiefs playoff run, and examines parallels to NFL history, Mahomes’ future, and the broader ripple effects across the league. The hosts also discuss Philip Rivers’ improbable NFL return, viral NFL and college football stories, John Cena’s wrestling finale, and a heartfelt personal milestone for RG3.

1. Patrick Mahomes' ACL Tear & Chiefs’ Loss — A Turning Point

[00:00 – 03:38]

• Chiefs Out of Playoffs: For the first time in 11 seasons—every year of Mahomes’ career—the Chiefs miss the postseason, amplified by their star QB suffering a torn ACL.
• Dynasty in Danger?
  • RG3 draws parallels with Tom Brady, noting both he and Mahomes tore their ACLs in their ninth season, the year after a Super Bowl win, and after collecting three rings apiece.
  • RG3:

    “Is all hope lost with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs because he tore his ACL? I would say no, no. But I do think that some changes need to be made and the number one change is not coming back too soon from injury.”
    [01:42]

• Recommendation: RG3 strongly advocates that Mahomes should sit out the entire 2026 season, noting the December injury means just 9 months until next season, but actual full recovery for high-level athletes is closer to 12-15 months.
  • Personal experience: RG3 tore his own ACL and regrets returning after 9 months, admitting he wasn't ready physically or mentally.

2. ACL Recovery Real Talk — Mental and Physical Toll

[05:00 – 07:12]

• Grete’s Perspective: She also tore her ACL in college, echoing the unpredictability and emotional recovery.

  “It’s not that you’re not physically ready. For me it was more, you know, I wasn’t mentally ready... it can happen again... Football is a contact sport... Your knee needs just as much recovery as honestly your mental side and brain does.”
  [05:00]

• Both agree Mahomes’s team is capable, but the urge to rush back should be checked for total health.

3. Chiefs’ Immediate Future — Roster, Coaching, and the Mahomes Dilemma

[07:12 – 12:38]

• Backup QB Situation: Gardner Minshew is mentioned as the stopgap. RG3 stresses Chiefs need not draft a QB high, referencing Patriots’ history with Matt Cassel and Jimmy Garoppolo.
• Changes Needed: RG3 calls for “new ideas” on the coaching staff, not necessarily replacing Andy Reid, but refreshing play-calling.

  “The offense did feel predictable... Getting new minds... is going to make it to where they can start to self-scout better.”
  [10:19]

• Roster Holes: Chiefs lack top-tier (“war daddy”) outside receivers, unlike the supporting cast Brady had.
  • RG3 raises the Travis Kelce question: With Mahomes uncertain, does Kelce retire, or stay for another run?

4. The Travis Kelce Question & Chiefs’ Star Power

[12:38 – 13:54]

• Grete’s Take:

  “He can’t retire because he has to plan a wedding, marrying Taylor Swift. He needs a check. He can’t retire.” [12:38]

• But both agree Kelce’s play, while solid, has “slowed down,” leaving doubts about his shelf life during a likely team rebuild.

5. Viral Spiral #1 — Philip Rivers’ Hollywood Return at 44

[13:54 – 21:55]

• Rivers’ Comeback: At 44, after four years and now a grandfather, Rivers was called to start for the Colts, delivering a gutsy, inspiring performance (18/27, 120 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT).

  “Philip Rivers come out of retirement at 44 is inspiring... That means a lot to me. That was inspiring.” — RG3 [17:02]

• Real Impact: Discussion about the business of the NFL (insurance coverage expiring five years post-retirement), and the power of Rivers’ example for both kids and veterans.
• Honesty & Humor: RG3

  “You can say it like it is. He was overweight, okay? The reporter asked him, hey, what is your weight? And he said, it ain’t what it was when I walked off the field.”
  [15:52]

6. Viral Spiral #2 — Broncos’ Streak, Packers’ Injuries

[21:55 – 26:09]

• Micah Parsons Tears ACL: The staunch Packers pass rusher, now in Green Bay post-Cowboys trade, is sidelined.
• Broncos Surge: Denver wins 34-26, now on an 11-game streak.

  “The Broncos are 11 and two, I believe, 11 game winning streak. Bo Nix hasn’t been balling like he was last year, but he just threw four touchdowns... They deserve way more love than they're getting.”
  — RG3 [24:52]

• Underappreciated QBs: Bo Nix (Broncos), Sam Darnold (Seahawks), Drake Maye (Patriots) are leading top teams without big-media attention.

7. Viral Spiral #3 — Diego Pavia’s Heisman Outburst

[26:09 – 31:47]

• Controversy: Heisman contender Diego Pavia rants on Instagram: “F all the Heisman voters,” then parties with an “F Indiana” sign.
• Character Risks:

  “He is leading with emotion... You cannot go on your Instagram story and say what you said to the Heisman voters. The most prestigious fraternity in all of land.”
  — Grete [30:12]

• Redemption: Though Pavia apologized, both hosts warn he risks “F-ing his way out the league” if he doesn’t mature.
• Contrast: Praise for new Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza for maturity, authenticity, and grace.

8. Viral Spiral #4 — John Cena’s Last Stand

[32:28 – 34:10]

• WWE Farewell: John Cena loses his final match by submission—poetic irony for the “never give up” star.

  “If you win the last match, then it's like, well, was that really your last match? ...I didn’t love the finish, but I chose... to focus on the fact that I was happy that we got to see the greatest wrestler of all time finish his career the way that he wanted to.”
  — RG3 [34:04]

• Both hosts express gratitude for Cena’s impact on their childhoods.

9. Feel-Good Moment — Dak Prescott Saves Lives

[34:10 – 34:57]

• Cowboys QB Dak Prescott arranges full cancer screenings for the team staff; the screenings catch an early cancer for senior VP Tad Carper.

  “The kind of leader he is... they’re lucky to have him.”
  — RG3 [34:35]

10. Hometown Highlights — RG3’s Full Circle Moment

[34:57 – 38:02]

• RG3’s First NFL Broadcast: Calls his first pro game (Panthers vs. Saints) in New Orleans, completing a personal journey from childhood hardship to NFL spotlight.

  “God has a very unique way of bringing us back to where our roots are from, to show us who we really are... I'll always be thankful to New Orleans because of the toughness that it taught me.”
  — RG3 [35:18 – 37:40]

• Grete applauds his career arc and emotional vulnerability.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "Don’t come back too soon, Pat. I would have waited an entire year and not played until the 2014 season if I could go back and do it again." — RG3 [02:55]
• “Football is a contact sport... Your knee needs just as much recovery as your mental side and brain does.” — Grete [05:00]
• “It’s inspiring, man. How many people are sitting on the couch right now... if they got that call, they would have turned it down... Philip Rivers said, I got you. I’m there...” — RG3 [17:31]
• “To win the game, to beat the game, you got to know what the game is. In order to be a franchise quarterback, you have to act like a franchise quarterback.” — RG3 [31:24]
• “Never tweet while emotional.” — Grete [30:12]
• “Thank you, John Cena, for all the amazing memories you have created for all of our childhoods.” — Grete [34:04]
• “You are always in charge of what you become.” — RG3 [37:30]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Patrick Mahomes’ Injury Impact & History — [00:00 – 03:38]
• ACL Recovery Stories — [05:00 – 07:12]
• Chiefs’ Immediate Future — [07:12 – 12:38]
• Travis Kelce’s Future — [12:38 – 13:54]
• Philip Rivers Comeback — [13:54 – 21:55]
• Broncos & Packers Reaction — [21:55 – 26:09]
• Diego Pavia’s Heisman Fallout — [26:09 – 31:47]
• John Cena’s Last Match — [32:28 – 34:10]
• Dak Prescott’s Cancer Screenings — [34:10 – 34:57]
• RG3’s Broadcast Debut & Reflections — [34:57 – 38:02]

Final Thoughts

Lively, personal, and insightful, this episode weaves together breaking NFL news, personal testimony, and cultural moments with RG3 and Grete’s trademark authenticity and chemistry. From Mahomes’ uncertain road ahead to the unexpected comeback of Philip Rivers, the duo champion resilience, leadership, and learning from adversity, leaving listeners with rich food for thought on sports, careers, and life’s turning points.