Patrick Mahomes is not used to hearing criticism in August. And yet, as the NFL preseason approaches in 2025, the usually untouchable quarterback and his team—known both for dominance and flair—are entering unfamiliar territory. The Kansas City Chiefs, led by Mahomes and coached by the legendary Andy Reid, are no longer basking in the afterglow of their dynastic achievements. Instead, they are under duress, not because of what they’ve done, but because of what they haven’t done since hoisting their third Lombardi Trophy under Mahomes’ reign. While they are still feared, the aura of invincibility has faded, replaced by a rising chorus of questions, concerns, and calculated criticisms.
Patrick Mahomes, once viewed as the indestructible Prince of the NFL, is facing a type of pressure that isn’t rooted in stats or win-loss columns. It’s psychological, cultural, and situational. Mahomes is still producing at an elite level—few would argue otherwise. However, the 2024 season exposed cracks in what had been a seemingly flawless blueprint for success. The Chiefs were outmaneuvered and outmuscled in key games late in the season. Their offensive line, which had once given Mahomes the time and space to improvise and dazzle, was inconsistent. Their receiving corps was unreliable. Travis Kelce, while still productive, began showing subtle signs of decline. But most notably, Mahomes didn’t look as immortal as he once did.
In the NFL, expectations are both a gift and a curse. For Mahomes, who is already compared to legends like Tom Brady and Joe Montana, the standards are almost unattainable. Every throw, every fourth-quarter decision, and every playoff drive is viewed under a magnifying glass. The whispers about whether Mahomes’ dominance is sustainable in a shifting NFL landscape have turned into full-fledged debates on sports radio and television. The phrase “Mahomes needs help” is thrown around more often, but so is the counterpoint: “If he’s truly the greatest, why does he look so human?”
This preseason is not just about shaking off rust or building chemistry—it’s about sending a message. Mahomes is being watched not for what he is doing now, but for signs of what might happen later. His offseason body language, his rapport with young receivers, and even his answers in interviews are dissected for clues about whether he’s still locked in, or if the endless expectations are finally starting to wear on him. He’s been diplomatic, calm, and self-assured, but those around the league sense something different. It’s not panic, but it’s certainly not peace.
Compounding the tension is the reality that Kansas City’s front office did not make sweeping changes. They retooled, not rebuilt. The offensive line saw minor upgrades. They drafted a couple of intriguing receivers, but there was no headline-grabbing move. No splashy free agent wideout. No blockbuster trade. That speaks to the confidence the organization has in Mahomes, but it also increases the burden on him to elevate whatever pieces he’s given. If Kansas City doesn’t start fast, if they drop a preseason game or look out of sync in joint practices, the noise will intensify.
Mahomes is not alone under pressure. “The Prince,” as Trevor Lawrence was once dubbed coming out of Clemson, is entering a defining moment in his young career. After a roller-coaster 2024 season that began with promise and ended in disappointment, Lawrence is now in a position where potential is no longer an acceptable substitute for results. The Jacksonville Jaguars invested heavily in his development. They provided him with weapons. They hired coaches tailored to his strengths. They constructed a roster around the idea that Lawrence would be a top-five quarterback by now. But as he enters another preseason, there are lingering doubts about whether he can make the leap from promising talent to perennial Pro Bowler.
Lawrence, like Mahomes, was expected to be a generational talent. The comparisons to Andrew Luck, Peyton Manning, and even John Elway were premature, but they existed. And now, four seasons in, the jury is still out. Some believe Lawrence is a victim of circumstance. The Jaguars, after all, have been inconsistent in supporting him with a stable environment. Others argue that elite quarterbacks rise above dysfunction. Joe Burrow did. Mahomes certainly did. Why hasn’t Lawrence?
Unlike Mahomes, whose baseline is excellence, Lawrence’s baseline is still unknown. He flashes brilliance but also disappears in key moments. His decision-making in high-pressure situations has not improved at the expected rate. He struggles with turnovers, especially in the red zone. And his leadership—while often praised publicly—has not translated into a clear, steady command of the offense. This preseason is his chance to redefine the narrative. He must look sharper, quicker, and more decisive. He must play like a quarterback who is done learning and ready to dominate.
Duress is not always about threat—it’s about pressure to prove. And in 2025, both Mahomes and Lawrence must prove different things to different people. Mahomes must prove he can still carry a flawed team to glory. He must show that the Chiefs’ dynasty is not quietly closing its final chapter. Lawrence must prove that he belongs in the elite conversation. He must show that he can take control of a division and keep Jacksonville relevant in the AFC arms race.
The difference is in how each quarterback will be evaluated. Mahomes is critiqued against perfection. Anything less than a Super Bowl is viewed as a failure. He cannot simply win games—he must dominate them. He cannot simply lead a drive—he must create a masterpiece. For Lawrence, the bar is more accessible but no less intimidating. He must become reliable. He must become trusted. He must take control of the games he used to manage.
There is also a larger story at play here—one about how quickly the NFL resets its heroes. Mahomes was once the face of a new era, a magician whose talent broke the game open. But in a league constantly seeking fresh faces and new angles, even icons can become stale if they don’t reinvent themselves. The rise of quarterbacks like Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and C.J. Stroud means Mahomes is now battling not just defenders but attention. The same goes for Lawrence, who was once the golden boy and now risks becoming an afterthought.
The preseason is traditionally a place for backups and rookies to earn roster spots. But this year, it will also be the arena where Mahomes and Lawrence must reassert their place in the league’s hierarchy. Not through highlight throws in meaningless games, but through tone-setting, leadership, and unmistakable urgency. They cannot coast into the regular season. The pressure is too high. The questions are too loud.
Mahomes and Lawrence are two very different quarterbacks in very different stages of their careers, yet they are bound together this summer by a shared reality: the need to silence doubters. One must defend a legacy that is already being questioned. The other must build one before it slips away. Every rep, every throw, every audible matters more this time. And that’s what makes this preseason unlike any other.
The Chiefs can no longer rely on swagger alone. They must execute. Mahomes must adjust to a new era of defensive schemes built to take away the deep ball and force patient, methodical drives. He must mentor young receivers while staying in rhythm himself. He must mask offensive weaknesses with ingenuity and grit. He is still the most talented quarterback in the NFL, but talent without titles becomes trivia. He knows this. The pressure he feels isn’t just about football. It’s about perception, legacy, and sustaining a standard that few in history have ever achieved.
Lawrence, meanwhile, must play angry. Not reckless, but inspired. He must carry himself with the conviction of a man who knows he’s better than the numbers show. He must galvanize a locker room that has looked to him for leadership but has rarely followed him to victory. He must make Jacksonville believe again—and not just for a few weeks. Consistency is the only currency that matters now. The preseason won’t define him, but it will set the tone. If he looks unsure or timid, the doubts will metastasize quickly.
Both men are under duress, and not just because of what’s coming, but because of what could be lost. For Mahomes, it’s the narrative of invincibility. For Lawrence, it’s the promise of greatness. The preseason will not crown champions, but it will reveal intent. And this year, more than most, it will expose cracks, resolve, and direction.
The eyes of the league are on Mahomes and Lawrence not because they’re the only stars, but because their stories are now at an inflection point. Greatness is not guaranteed. It is earned, re-earned, and defended constantly. The pressure they face is a testament to their importance. But it is also a challenge. The preseason begins not with a whistle, but with a spotlight. And under that harsh light, the Prince and the King must remind the world that they are still royalty—if they can prove it.
