The Mahomes disrespect has reached a new level of stupid

It was a humid July afternoon in Kansas City, the kind that made Arrowhead’s parking lots shimmer with heat. The city was abuzz—not just with anticipation for another Chiefs season, but with a growing sense of outrage. Sports talk radio, Twitter threads, and even national TV panels were all echoing the same, increasingly bizarre refrain: Patrick Mahomes, at age 29, was no longer in his prime.

For years, Mahomes had been the golden child of the NFL. Since taking over as Kansas City’s starter, he’d led the Chiefs to three Super Bowl wins, five appearances, and seven consecutive AFC Championship games. He’d turned broken plays into highlight reels, made throws that seemed to defy physics, and—perhaps most importantly—given a city long-starved for football greatness a dynasty to believe in.

But now, after two seasons in which his stats dipped from “video game” to merely “elite,” the talking heads had turned. Chris Simms dropped Mahomes out of his top three quarterbacks. Ben Roethlisberger, fresh off retirement, declared on his podcast that he’d take “prime Aaron Rodgers over Mahomes”—and, more bafflingly, that Mahomes was “entering out of his prime.” He was 29. The takes were reaching a new level of stupid.

Arrowhead’s Future and the Stadium Chess Match

Meanwhile, the Chiefs organization was fighting a battle of its own—a high-stakes chess match over the future of Arrowhead Stadium. The lease was set to expire in 2031, and both sides of the state line wanted to claim the kingdom. Missouri offered to cover up to 50% of a $500 million renovation or rebuild. Kansas countered with a promise to finance 70% of a billion-dollar new stadium, complete with a dome, practice facility, and entertainment district.

Insiders whispered that the Chiefs had let contracts on five Kansas plots expire, signaling a return to Arrowhead’s hallowed ground. But then, just as Missouri started to celebrate, Chiefs president Mark Donovan released a public letter asking Kansas for an extension on their Star Bond incentives. The game was still on. The Chiefs were playing both sides, leveraging their immense value to secure the best possible deal for the franchise and the fans.

It was a complex, emotional issue. Arrowhead wasn’t just a building—it was the beating heart of Kansas City football, the site of countless memories, tailgates, and legendary comebacks. But business was business, and the Hunt family knew the power of options.

The Chiefs’ Quarter-Century Legacy

Amid the stadium drama and Mahomes debates, ESPN released its all quarter-century NFL team—an all-star roster of the best players and coaches since 2000. Kansas City was well-represented: Mahomes, of course, was one of the top three quarterbacks, beating out the likes of Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees. Priest Holmes, whose early-2000s run remains one of the greatest in NFL history, was at running back. Tight ends Travis Kelce and Tony Gonzalez both made the cut, a testament to the Chiefs’ remarkable run at the position. Jared Allen, Chris Jones, and special teams wizard Dave Toub rounded out the list.

And yet, as the accolades rolled in, the disrespect for Mahomes grew louder. “He’s not what he used to be,” some said. “He’s regressing,” others insisted. They pointed to his numbers—lower, yes, but still among the league’s best—and ignored the context: a decimated receiver corps, a revolving door at left tackle, no true WR1 or WR2, and a running back signed off the couch in Week 3. Still, Mahomes led his team to another Super Bowl win, doing more with less than any quarterback in recent memory.

Greatness Recognizes Greatness

Ironically, the only people who seemed to truly appreciate Mahomes’ brilliance were his peers—the legends he was supposedly falling behind. Tom Brady, the GOAT himself, told Kevin Hart that Mahomes was the only one who could duplicate his success. Rob Gronkowski, tight end extraordinaire, declared Travis Kelce the greatest receiving tight end ever, and even admitted that Kelce’s recent run made him question his own place atop the all-time list.

It was a reminder that greatness recognizes greatness. While anonymous Twitter eggs and retired quarterbacks nitpicked Mahomes’ every move, the true icons of the game tipped their caps in respect.

The Dynasty’s Next Chapter

Pro Football Focus ranked Andy Reid the top head coach in the NFL heading into 2025, citing the Chiefs’ mastery of situational football. Despite injuries, trades, and a “down year” on offense, Kansas City improved as games wore on, flipping a switch when it mattered most. They won close games, clawed back from deficits, and found ways to win with a patchwork roster.

The media, desperate for clicks and controversy, continued to push the narrative that the Chiefs’ time was over. The reality? As long as Mahomes, Kelce, Chris Jones, and Spagnuolo were around, and as long as Andy Reid was drawing up plays, the Chiefs would be a problem for the rest of the league.

The Fans Respond

Back in Kansas City, fans weren’t having it. Sports bars echoed with laughter at the latest “past his prime” takes. Arrowhead’s parking lots filled with red and gold, the faithful ready for another run. On talk radio, callers vented their frustration: “How can you watch what Mahomes did with that roster last year and say he’s done?” “Let them doubt us. We’ll see them in January.”

The disrespect, if anything, only fueled the fire. Mahomes himself seemed unfazed, posting workout videos and cryptic tweets, his focus squarely on the next ring. The city rallied behind him, united by the belief that their quarterback—and their team—still had plenty left to prove.

The Road Ahead

As training camp approached, the Chiefs prepared for another season with a target on their backs. The media would keep talking, the haters would keep doubting, and the dynasty would keep rolling. Maybe Mahomes’ numbers would dip again, maybe they wouldn’t. But as long as he was under center, Kansas City would have a chance—every single year.

And in the end, that’s what greatness is: not just the stats, or the rings, or the highlight-reel plays. It’s the ability to rise above the noise, to keep winning when everyone says you can’t, to turn disrespect into fuel.

So let the takes keep coming. The Mahomes disrespect has reached a new level of stupid—but in Kansas City, they know better. The dynasty isn’t dead. It’s just getting started.