Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce recently addressed a video that surfaced showing rookie safety Trey Taylor playing with a Kermit the Frog doll dressed in a Patrick Mahomes jersey. Although the coach mentioned that the issue has been addressed, he did not provide further details on how they handled it.
During the team’s training camp in Costa Mesa, California, a Raiders fan brought the doll, which led to Taylor being captured on video laughing with his teammates while using the puppet. The Kermit doll is believed to be a playful nod to Mahomes’ distinctive voice.
When asked about the doll incident at the Kansas City Chiefs camp, Mahomes responded by saying that these things happen and will be dealt with in due time. He also mentioned that his teammates don’t need to send him anything to stay motivated.
The Chiefs and Raiders have a long-standing rivalry as AFC West members, with the Chiefs dominating the matchup in recent years. Kansas City has secured six out of the last seven victories and boasts an overall record of 71-54-2 against the Raiders in the regular season.
Despite the rivalry, the teams split their 2023 regular-season series, with the Chiefs winning on the road in November and the Raiders claiming victory on Christmas Day. However, the Week 16 loss to the Raiders marked the Chiefs’ last defeat of the season, as they went on to win Super Bowl LVIII.
With Mahomes leading the team, the Chiefs have a strong record against the Raiders, winning 10 out of 12 matchups since 2018. Mahomes has maintained an impressive 109.6 passer rating against the AFC West rival and has led the team to victory in 18 of the last 22 games.
The next face-off between the Chiefs and Raiders is scheduled for October 27 in Las Vegas, promising another intense chapter in their rivalry. Past encounters have seen heated moments, such as Mahomes exchanging words with Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby in 2022.
Pierce also added fuel to the rivalry by mentioning “Patrick Mahomes rules” on a podcast, drawing comparisons to the famous “Jordan rules” from the NBA. Despite the tension, both players have acknowledged that emotions can run high during competitive games.
As the consensus top quarterback in the league, Mahomes had a solid season with over 4,000 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and a 92.6 passer rating in the previous year. He also showcased his versatility by rushing for nearly 400 yards.
The upcoming clash between the Chiefs and Raiders is highly anticipated by fans of both teams, as they look forward to witnessing another chapter in this storied rivalry. Stay tuned for more updates as the game approaches.