Though the Kansas City Chiefs have mostly owned the Las Vegas Raiders during Patrick Mahomes‘ career, the rivalry between the two teams is alive and well. Much of that is thanks to how heated defensive end Maxx Crosby and Mahomes get when the two teams play.
While Crosby and Mahomes are always bitter enemies on the field, the two actually have a lot of respect for each other. The Raiders star said earlier in the offseason that Mahomes is the best quarterback in the NFL.
The Chiefs quarterback also feels like Crosby is the best at his position.
“I think he’s sacked me the most out of anyone I’ve ever played against,” Mahomes told Kay Adams on “Up & Adams.” “To me, he’s the best pass rusher that I’ve played against. … He gives you the effort, he has the moves and he has the skill. I think it’s hard to have all three of those and do it year in and year out.”
Mahomes has played against some amazing pass rushers, so that’s an impressive compliment for Crosby. Even with the Chiefs dominating the Raiders for several years, Mahomes still has respect for the team heading into the 2025 season.
“We’re gonna compete. We know when we step on that football field, we’re going up against each other; it’s the Raiders and the Chiefs. It’s two of the greatest in the league going after each other,” Mahomes said. “There’s so much healthy respect. … That’s the guys you want on your team.”
Mahomes Praises Tom Brady
Tom Brady may have never played for the Raiders, but he’s now tied to the team due to buying an ownership stake in the franchise last year. Despite the fact that Brady is helping run a team that despises Mahomes and the Chiefs, he’s still available to talk with the quarterback when he wants to.
“I think [legacy is] always in the back of your mind — even from the beginning of my career,” Mahomes told Adams. “But at the end of the day, it’s about taking it a day at a time — a day, and a day, and a day, just continuing to do that. That’s something that I’ve been conscious of, of knowing how blessed I am to be in Kansas City, to have all these great players around me.
“And having Tom, a guy like that say that, just motivates me even more. I’ve actually talked to Tom a good amount this offseason. It’s cool that he wants to give me advice. He doesn’t have to be like that. He’s such a good dude. And I have so much respect for him, and I’ll take any advice he gives me.”
Can Raiders Close the Gap?
Every team in the AFC West has been chasing the Chiefs for years and has failed. However, the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers both made the playoffs last season, so the gap is closing.
The Raiders run the risk of falling behind, which is likely why they hired a proven winner at head coach in Pete Carroll. Las Vegas is likely still at least a year away from truly competing with the Chiefs, but they are headed in the right direction.
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