Seeing as my passport is expiring next year, and not likely to see much use in the coming few months, it seems like this would be a good time to take care of renewal.

Per the Dept of State site, renewal applications by mail are being accepted, but to "Expect significant processing delays" - any have any insight as to what that means? I (tentatively) have my next overseas trip in September - I'd think as long as they're operating on some basis, I'd likely have it back in 5 months, no?