Raiders’ Maxx Crosby ready to renew rivalry with Patrick Mahomes: ‘It’s war’
The rivalry between Maxx Crosby and Patrick Mahomes is about to reach a new level on Sunday.
For the first time in their careers, they will face each other undefeated.
Both Crosby and Mahomes were asked about facing each other on Sunday, and they are both eager for the challenge ahead.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve really got to go, and I know we’re both looking forward to it. I respect the s— out of him,” Crosby said. “He knows what it is; it’s war.”
While Crosby had a tame but fiery response, Mahomes’ response featured a subtle jab from the past, but also paid respect to the five-time Pro Bowler.
Mahomes took the podium on Wednesday and made a reference to the rivalry by telling reporters, “I’m here,” referring back to a game in 2022 that created a viral clip between the two on the Netflix show “Quarterback.”
After rallying back from a 17-0 deficit, Mahomes approached Crosby and told him “I’m here” after he threw a touchdown pass to Travis Kelce to put Kansas City up 30-29.
After Mahomes got Kansas City the lead by throwing a touchdown pass to Kelce, he ran right by Crosby and repeated the phrase, “I’m here all day,” multiple times.
The two met in the endzone, butted heads and Mahomes was heard saying, “You messed with the wrong motherf—er.”
“I think it’s just being competitors. It’s almost like whenever you’re young and you’re competing with one of your friends man,” Mahomes said. “You want to win because you have those bragging rights and you go into the offseason. If you see the guy, you can give them a little something here and there.”
Mahomes went on to say that it’s about having the best competitors compete against each other.
The last time Kansas City and Las Vegas played each other, the Raiders had the last laugh, winning a Week 18 matchup last season, 14-12.
Unfortunately for Crosby’s bragging rights, neither he nor Mahomes played in that game.
Crosby had meniscus surgery on his knee over the offseason and has already looked back to form, as he has 1.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 5 tackles this season.
Mahomes was sidelined due to a torn ACL he suffered in the middle of December.
Through three games, Mahomes has made his torn ACL nearly forgotten as he’s already thrown for 812 yards, with 7 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, while having a 68.4 completion percentage.
While the two are ready to add another chapter to their friendly rivalry, it will have to wait until Sunday when they kick off against each other at 1:25 p.m.
