Patrick Mahomes remains a lightning rod in NFL circles, from the ongoing officiating debate to the G.O.A.T. conversation, to the, for lack of a better term, ridiculous things he has done on the football field. Mahomes is inarguably one of the “most intriguing players” in the NFL.
That much was asserted in an article from The Athletic’s Mike Jones, who ranked Mahomes as the third-most intriguing player in the league entering the 2025 regular season.
Moreover, Jones says Mahomes remains the “best player in the league.”
Patrick Mahomes Lands on Watchlist Ahead of Chiefs’ Season Opener
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes Ranked 3rd-Most ‘Intriguing’ Player
“Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson may have overshadowed Mahomes at times last season, but he still reached the Super Bowl for the fifth time in seven seasons. And a porous offensive line and injury-riddled receiving unit may have cost Mahomes and the Chiefs the first three-peat in the modern era of pro football,” Jones wrote on August 31.
“Don’t be fooled: Mahomes remains the best player in the league. A load of motivation, an upgraded offensive line and a healthy wide receiver corps have him positioned to rebound in a mighty way. Is a third MVP crown and fourth Lombardi trophy in his immediate future?”
Is Patrick Mahomes primed for another MVP run?
The Chiefs’ offense looks explosive again — and Kay is here for it 🎆@heykayadams | #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/Ls6e6TqhWh
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) August 25, 2025
Mahomes, who turns 30 in September, is coming off a perceived “down” individual season. He still completed a career-high 67.5% of his passes. But Mahomes’ yards and touchdown passes dipped for the second straight season.
He also absorbed a career-high 36 sacks and posted the second-worst Total QBR of his career as a starter.
Mahomes posted his worst Total QBR with the Chiefs in 2023.
Patrick Mahomes Victim of Own Success
Mahomes’ recent downward trend has been a source of intrigue, and, in many ways, the QB has himself to blame. Much of the issue for Mahomes stems from changing personnel around him, particularly on offense.
The Chiefs have had to turnover their wide receiver room multiple times since trading Tyreek Hill in an effort to curtail expenses and reload while paying Mahomes.
They have also had to re-work their offensive line amid issues, specifically at the tackle spots.
Mahomes is in Year 4 of his 10-year, $450 million contract. He is nowhere close to the end of his prime, and he showed a renewed level of dedication to preparing for the upcoming season, which bodes well for the Chiefs.
Still, as the supposed “best player” in the NFL – despite ranking behind Aaron Rodgers (Pittsburgh Steelers) and Travis Hunter (Jacksonville Jaguars) – Mahomes must do more.
The Chiefs will go as Mahomes goes, and that will be true until he is no longer with the club.
Chiefs Predicted to Have AFC West Streak Snapped
The Athletic’s Jesse Newell boldly predicted that Mahomes would be backed by a Chiefs defense that would finish in the top three in sacks. They tied for the ninth-fewest in 2024 despite defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s aggressiveness and the third-highest blitz rate.
The Chiefs have won the AFC West nine years straight, but Newell’s colleague, Nick Kosmider, predicted the Denver Broncos would overtake KC.
The Broncos went 10-7 with a rookie at quarterback in Bo Nix.
Nix and the Broncos had the Chiefs on the ropes in Week 10 of last season, but KC blocked Denver’s game-winning field goal attempt to seal the victory. Denver notched a 38-0 victory in Week 18, but that came with KC resting their starters for the postseason.
An even bigger threat to Mahomes and the Chiefs’ reign, though, could be Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers. They finished second in the division in 2024 and could be better in 2025.
