Patrick Mahomes’ coach responds to Las Vegas rookie’s Kermit the Frog insult to add more fire to intense Chiefs-Raiders rivalry
There's no love lost between the Las Vegas Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs.
But while one franchise has continued to win, win and win again, the other has cycled through head coaches at a ridiculous rate and been to the playoffs twice since the 2003 season.
6
Although their AFC West battles are tough and intense, more often than not they usually result in a Kansas City win.
As a result, it's fair to say the Raiders don't like Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes very much (why would they when he has a 10-2 record against them?).
They have continually poked the bear, and appeared to take more shots at the Chiefs signal caller this week when a group of players were spotted passing around a Kermit the Frog puppet dressed in Chiefs gear.
'Showtime' has been constantly trolled about his voice throughout his career, which people say is a lot like the Muppet's. Mahomes himself has readily admitted he sounds like the famous green frog, and did his best Kermit impression -- which was actually just his normal voice -- during the media day for Super Bowl LVIII.
READ MORE NFL
Raiders rookie safety Trey Taylor was the player holding the Kermit puppet in the viral video, which was given to him by a fan in attendance at the Raiders training camp.
Mahomes' trainer, Bobby Stroupe, caught wind of the video and replied with a confident message that adds yet more fire to the Chiefs-Raiders rivalry.
"We will remember," he posted on X.
Mahomes was asked about the viral video on Friday.
Most read in NFL
"It’ll get handled when it gets handled,"; he calmly said.
Taylor is a rookie having been picked in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft after playing college football at Air Force.
Mahomes' former teammate LeSean McCoy, who he won a Super Bowl with in 2020, went as far to suggest Taylor should be cut from the Raiders for his involvement with the Kermit doll.
"No. 37, nobody knows who that is," . "He's gonna get cut. You talking about the MVP? You talking about the real deal, who that is?"
6
6
6
That's probably a little harsh. A better punishment would be for Mahomes to torch the Raiders when they meet in Week 8 of the new NFL season.
The Chiefs-Raiders rivalry was documented in Netflix's 'Quarterback' series when Las Vegas star defensive end Maxx Crosby and Mahomes exchanged words after getting physical.
"When it's between the quarters, he (Mahomes) knows what time it is," Crosby said. "And I know what time it is when he's out there."
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby on 'playing violent' and insight to supposed 'rules' for facing Patrick Mahomes
Three-time Pro Bowler Crosby has become one of Mahomes' main rival across the line of scrimmage, and recently revealed the team's 'Mahomes Rules' - a plan to treat the three-time Super Bowl winner like Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan was treated by the 'Bad Boy' Detroit Pistons in the NBA playoffs.
"He's got multiple MVPs and Super Bowls," Crosby said. "At the end of the day, if we want to win, we've got to take him down. We're not shy about that.
"He knows that every time I play him, every time I see him, I'm trying to ruin his day. That goes for everybody. People can take that whatever they want or whatever, but he knows I'm coming for him.
"I'm on that energy every time and I know my teammates are, as well. It's not malicious or whatever. People are trying to say we're trying to purposefully injure him or whatever. It's a bunch of BS.
"We play the game the right way but we play it with ill intent. We play violent and fast, and we plan on doing that for years to come."
6
6
While the Raiders and Crosby talk a good game, fans are yet to see it fully materialise on the field.
The Raiders beat the Chiefs 20-14 on Christmas Day last season, but that joy quickly dissipated when Mahomes and the Chiefs went on to win Super Bowl LVIII against the 49ers at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas - the home of the Raiders.
Crosby, who's furious reaction to the Chiefs' Super Bowl win went viral, is undoubtedly one of the best defenders in the NFL. But that hasn't stopped Mahomes beating up the success-starved franchise time and time again during his career.
The 28-year-old Mahomes has thrown for 3,573 yards, 30 touchdowns and four interceptions in his twelve games against the Raiders - 10 of which were victories.
Read More on talkSPORT
The reigning Super Bowl MVP has already proved himself to be one of the best quarterbacks ever, while 26-year-old Crosby has made the playoffs just once in five years - a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2021 AFC Wild Card round.
Mahomes and Crosby will face each other twice in the 2024 regular season - the first game will be on October 27 in Week 8 and the second will be on November 29 in Week 13.
Topics