RTÉ GAA analyst Pat Spillane worries that relegation from Division 1 of the Allianz League could be damaging to Mayo's summer campaign.
The Green above the Red are facing a battle to avoid the drop, with just three points from their opening five games.
Defeat to Kerry on Sunday leaves them needing something in their final games away to Galway and then at home against Tyrone.
"Mayo are a team in transition," Spillane said on Allianz League Sunday.
"I don't think the youngsters are good enough for the step-up to senior Championship football. Secondly with the old guys, brilliant footballers, great warriors, but there's a lot of mileage there.
"What wins All-Irelands? Forwards win All-Irelands. Mayo are the lowest scorers in Division 1.
"They've a difficult time ahead. I think they're staring relegation in the face.
"If they get relegated it'll be a big battle to get together for the Championship, and I don't think they will."
'They are staring relegation in the face' - Pat Spillane and Ciarán Whelan discuss Mayo's #AllianzLeagues campaign #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/awRkTZrXvJ
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Mayo are two points behind both Donegal and Monaghan with two games to play.
Mayo drew with the Tír Chonaill men on the opening day, meaning that should the counties finish on the same points they would be separated according to scoring difference.
They were beaten by Monaghan however, meaning that they will need more points than the Farney men in order to finish ahead of them in the table.
Mayo won last year's National League, but they failed to reach the Connacht final. They recovered to get through the Super 8s, but they were well beaten by Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final.
"They're definitely not playing with confidence," said Ciarán Whelan.
"Some of the guys, I don't know whether they're at peak condition. He's (James Horan) trying to bring some of the experienced guys back.
"He's trying to match them with some newer players that have come in.
"He has tough decisions come the summer; does he stick with the experienced guard, or does he go with these young lads?
"They are in a bit of transition."
