Patrick Mahomes Is Still the NFL’s Best QB — Woody Says the Chiefs’ Dynasty Is Far From Over
In the ever-evolving landscape of the NFL, few names resonate with the same level of awe and respect as Patrick Mahomes. The Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback has redefined what it means to be a superstar, leading his team to back-to-back Super Bowl titles and establishing himself as the greatest player in the sport. However, as training camps open for the 2025 season, the narrative surrounding Mahomes and the Chiefs is a complex mix of admiration, scrutiny, and uncertainty. With a humiliating Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles still fresh in memory and a viral “dad bod” photo sparking endless memes, the question looms large: is this another year of Chiefs dominance, or will someone finally catch up to Mount Mahomes?
The Unshakable Legacy of Patrick Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes is no stranger to the spotlight, both for his on-field brilliance and the occasional off-field jest. The past five months have left fans with two lasting images of the Chiefs: their disheartening shuffle off the Superdome field, drowned in a sea of green and white confetti after a crushing Super Bowl defeat to the Eagles, and a less-than-flattering photo of Mahomes shirtless at a party, looking more relatable than Hemsworth-esque. The internet had a field day with the “dad bod” jokes, and local sports radio hosts didn’t hold back with their hot takes. Yet, beneath the memes and laughter lies a truth often overlooked: Mahomes is a stone-cold killer on the field.
As ESPN’s *Get Up* panelist pointed out, Mahomes sees and hears everything. While the football world was busy crowning Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson as the next big things a year ago, it was Mahomes who quietly nodded along, secured home-field advantage, and marched his team to a third straight Super Bowl appearance. His ability to use criticism as fuel is perhaps his most underappreciated weapon. Now, more motivated than ever after last season’s embarrassing end, Mahomes is poised to go “scorched earth” on the league in 2025. As one analyst noted, even a fresh haircut signals he’s all business—ready to do something dangerous.
Mahomes’ legacy is no longer about regular-season stats; he’s at the LeBron James level where only championships matter. He’s counting rings, and the rest of the NFL is counting the ways they can dethrone him. But even with the memes circulating in July, the smart money is on Mahomes delivering come January. The question isn’t whether he’s still the best—it’s whether the Chiefs have enough around him to maintain their reign.
A Tougher Road Ahead in the AFC West
For the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era, the journey to dominance looks like the hardest yet. The AFC West, once a division the Chiefs could navigate with relative ease, has transformed into a gauntlet of formidable opponents. As *Get Up* panelist Damien Woody emphasized, the division now boasts three Hall of Fame-caliber coaches: Sean Payton with the Denver Broncos, Jim Harbaugh with the Los Angeles Chargers, and Pete Carroll with the Las Vegas Raiders. Each team has made significant strides, posing a real threat to Kansas City’s stranglehold on the division.
The Denver Broncos, under Sean Payton, are emerging as a serious contender not just in the AFC West but in the entire AFC. With rookie quarterback Bo Nix at the helm and a defense projected to be the best in the NFL, the Broncos have bolstered their roster with key additions like linebacker Dre Greenlaw and offensive weapons Evan Ingram at tight end and RJ Harvey at running back. Some analysts, including Woody, are so confident in Denver’s potential that they’ve boldly predicted the Broncos will win the AFC West in 2025—the first time in Mahomes’ career as a starter that the Chiefs might not claim the division crown.
The Los Angeles Chargers, meanwhile, are benefiting from stability and continuity under Jim Harbaugh. Quarterback Justin Herbert finally has a coaching staff he can build with, and the team is expected to be in serious contention within a couple of years. The Raiders, led by culture-builder Pete Carroll, have stabilized their quarterback situation with veteran Geno Smith, ensuring they’re no longer the punchline they once were. As one panelist put it, “The Raiders are no longer a joke. The Broncos are no longer a joke. And the Chargers have instant credibility with Harbaugh.” For the Chiefs, this means the road to the playoffs will be anything but a cakewalk.
Challenges Within the Chiefs’ Roster
Beyond the divisional competition, the Chiefs face internal challenges that could impact their performance. Mahomes’ deep ball, once a hallmark of his game, has been less effective in recent years. Last season, he had more attempts at or behind the line of scrimmage than any quarterback in the past 20 years, a stark contrast to the days when screen grabs showed him surrounded by defenders, only for the play to end in a 65-yard touchdown to a double-covered Tyreek Hill. The chemistry downfield with receivers like Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice hasn’t fully developed, Hollywood Brown has been sidelined by injury, and the offensive line, while improved, still raises questions.
As one *Get Up* analyst highlighted, regaining that downfield threat is crucial for Mahomes to recreate the gap he once had over the rest of the division. The skill position players on the outside aren’t at the same elite level as in years past, and without that explosive element, opposing defenses can close in on Kansas City’s game plan. However, there’s optimism that Mahomes has enough weapons to get the job done. With a beefed-up offensive line and his unparalleled ability to elevate those around him, many still believe the Chiefs can “do this thing again”—even if it’s not a guaranteed AFC West title.
Motivation and the Mahomes Factor
What sets Mahomes apart, even in the face of these challenges, is his unrelenting drive. He cares deeply about the narrative surrounding him, whether it’s memes mocking his physique or doubts about his team’s capabilities. As his teammates and coaches know, Mahomes will find any sliver of motivation to fuel his fire. The dad bod jokes might sting, but they’re also a reminder of why he plays the game—to silence the doubters and add to his trophy case. “He will find anything to motivate him,” one panelist noted, and that relentless mindset makes him scarier than ever.
The consensus on *Get Up* is clear: while the AFC West is tougher and the Chiefs have roster questions, Patrick Mahomes remains the mountain every team must climb. The Broncos might be the bold pick to win the division, and the Chargers and Raiders are no longer pushovers, but betting against Mahomes feels like a fool’s errand. His ability to turn criticism into performance, to hear every slight and use it as ammunition, keeps him at the pinnacle of the sport.
A Season of High Stakes
As the 2025 NFL season approaches, the Kansas City Chiefs find themselves at a crossroads. The dynasty that has dominated the league for years faces its toughest test yet, with a revitalized AFC West and lingering questions about their offensive firepower. Yet, at the heart of it all is Patrick Mahomes, a quarterback whose talent and determination make the impossible seem routine. The memes and hot takes of July will fade, but the story of Mahomes and the Chiefs will be written in January—where championships are won, and legacies are cemented. Will this be another year of Chiefs dominance, or the start of a new era in the AFC West? One thing is certain: with Mahomes under center, the fight for supremacy is far from over.
