“Chiefs Crisis? Mahomes Labeled the Team’s Only Lifeline as Cam Newton Leaves Hurts Off His QB List”

NFL fans woke up to a whirlwind of takes, tension, and controversy after Tuesday’s explosive episode of ESPN’s Get Up.

What started as a routine debate on quarterback rankings turned into a full-blown storm when former MVP Cam Newton made a surprising omission from his top-five list: Jalen Hurts.

The Philadelphia Eagles star, fresh off a second straight dominant season and a Super Bowl appearance just two years ago, was nowhere to be found.

Instead, Newton listed Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, and even C. J. Stroud—leaving Hurts fans stunned and furious.

But the heat didn’t stop there.

As the conversation shifted, another bomb was dropped—this time aimed at the Kansas City Chiefs.

The panel raised concerns that the defending Super Bowl champions are now overly reliant on Patrick Mahomes to perform miracles every week.

While Mahomes has consistently answered the call with jaw-dropping plays and championship poise, many are starting to wonder: how sustainable is this?

First, the Hurts snub.

Cam Newton’s explanation only fueled more outrage.

He cited “overall quarterback play,” “mechanics,” and “complete package leadership” as factors—but many felt the criteria were shifting goalposts.

Hurts, who threw for over 3,900 yards, rushed for 15 touchdowns, and led his team to a 12-5 record in 2024, has repeatedly demonstrated he’s not just a dual-threat weapon, but a franchise quarterback in full control of the offense.

His leadership in the locker room and clutch playmaking have made him the face of the Eagles, yet Newton’s list had no space for him.

Twitter erupted.

“Cam Newton leaving Jalen Hurts off his list is wild disrespect,” one fan posted.

“Guy is literally top-three in MVP voting two years straight.

” Former players chimed in too, with several defending Hurts’ reputation as a true professional and elite performer.

Analysts pointed out that if Stroud, a rookie, could make Newton’s list after just one season, there’s little justification for Hurts’ exclusion.

Even more baffling is the timing.

The Eagles have been one of the most consistent teams in the league since Hurts took over.

They’ve built around him, committed to him long-term, and watched him blossom into a calm, clutch leader with few weaknesses.

Cam Newton’s decision felt less like analysis and more like agenda, whether intentional or not.

Meanwhile, on the same show, the Chiefs came under scrutiny for what many see as an unhealthy dependence on Mahomes.

Dan Orlovsky, Rex Ryan, and Marcus Spears all took turns pointing out the glaring imbalance in Kansas City’s offense.

Travis Kelce, while still dangerous, is aging.

The wide receiver group is inconsistent at best, and the run game remains underwhelming.

Without Mahomes creating off-script magic and masking their flaws, the Chiefs look beatable—even vulnerable.

The stats support that concern.

Mahomes accounted for over 80% of the Chiefs’ total yards in 2024.

He led the team in passing and was second in rushing.

His ability to extend plays, find receivers in chaos, and convert impossible third downs has bailed Kansas City out time and again.

But the price of that dependency is rising.

Mahomes took more hits this past season than ever before.

His scrambling increased.

The burden is growing heavier.

Spears was direct: “They’re asking Mahomes to do everything.

If he’s not Superman every single game, they lose.

That’s not sustainable.

Not even for him. ”

And therein lies the deeper concern—how long can Mahomes carry this version of the Chiefs?

While Andy Reid’s coaching brilliance and Steve Spagnuolo’s defense have played their part in Kansas City’s sustained success, it’s hard to deny that without Mahomes’ weekly heroics, the cracks would show.

The offensive line has been shaky in key moments.

The lack of a consistent WR1 has forced Mahomes to lean too hard on improvisation.

The run game, led by Isiah Pacheco, is physical but often inconsistent.

Defenses are adjusting.

They’re pressuring Mahomes more, forcing quicker throws, and daring the Chiefs’ other weapons to beat them.

It’s a strategy that worked more often last year than in seasons past.

Mahomes still delivered a Super Bowl, but at what cost? He’s only 29, yet he’s playing like a 35-year-old franchise savior with no margin for error.

Every drive feels like it rides on his creativity and decision-making.

That kind of pressure is not just unfair—it’s dangerous.

So while Cam Newton’s snub of Hurts sparked the loudest reaction, the quieter, more ominous conversation may be about Mahomes.

Because if the Chiefs don’t start giving him more help—whether through the draft, trades, or free agency—they risk wasting his prime and burning him out.

In contrast, the Eagles have at least tried to build around Hurts.

They’ve invested in weapons like A. J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.

They’ve fortified their offensive line.

They’ve established an identity and a system that elevates Hurts rather than overburdens him.

Newton’s failure to recognize that development speaks to a broader disconnect between some former players and the modern quarterback landscape.

Mahomes and Hurts represent different archetypes.

One is a generational improviser with an arm like a cannon and instincts forged in chaos.

The other is a controlled, calculated field general who leads with quiet authority and punishes defenses with decision-making and athleticism.

Yet both deserve recognition.

Both win.

Both carry franchises

.

And both are now at the center of a national conversation sparked by a single segment that pulled no punches.

As the NFL offseason heats up, one thing is certain—this debate won’t fade.

Hurts’ fans will continue demanding the respect he’s earned.

Mahomes’ supporters will keep pleading for help before the load breaks even him.

And Cam Newton, whether he likes it or not, has reignited a quarterback war that’s as much about perception as performance.

In a league where narratives often drive legacies, one morning on Get Up may have rewritten two of them.