Skip Bayless puts Patrick Mahomes on notice after blockbuster Sean Payton hire

One could argue that Patrick Mahomes is at the height of his power today. Despite playing on an injured ankle, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback was able to defeat who many called the last line of defense in the AFC in Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. As he prepares to finish his season with a win, potential storm clouds are brewing in the AFC West.

The Denver Broncos, almost exactly one year after completing a blockbuster trade for Russell Wilson, have completed another for their next coach. Former Saints coach Sean Payton will be heading to Denver in an effort to rebound the struggling franchise.

In a post on Twitter, analyst Skip Bayless said Mahomes' Super Bowl appearance this month could be the peak of the Chiefs' dominance in the divison.

Sean Payton to the Broncos. Maybe Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs won’t own this division any longer. Now on @undisputed

"Sean Payton to the Broncos. Maybe Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs won't own this division any longer," Bayless tweeted.

Will Patrick Mahomes win the AFC West in 2023?

Broncos dump rookie head coach streak for Sean Payton in bid to unseat Patrick Mahomes

Of course, Mahomes and the Chiefs are yet to wrap up their season, but the 2023 season has already effectively begun in the eyes of the Broncos. Now, with Russell Wilson and Sean Payton on the same team, opinions are differing. Some are claiming the team got finessed once again, while fans are hoping that adding Payton could be the final piece.

In 2022, Russell Wilson and Nathaniel Hackett won three games together. Hackett was fired the day after Christmas and one of the wins came while the quarterback was recovering from injury. The team's decision to hire the former Saints coach breaks a streak of three first-time head coaches.

Vance Joseph, Vic Fangio and Hackett had all spent time as coordinators but had never taken the reins of the entire team. In all of those seasons, the team missed the playoffs. Will a change in philosophy serve to put the team on a different path?