NFL Stars and Legends Who Clash with Patrick Mahomes

Patrick Mahomes has become the face of the NFL—three Super Bowls, two MVPs, and a highlight reel that seems endless. But with greatness comes envy, rivalry, and, yes, even hate. From divisional foes to legendary quarterbacks, Mahomes has inspired a unique brand of competitive animosity across the league. Let’s break down the most notable Mahomes haters, the stories behind their grudges, and how these rivalries have shaped the NFL’s drama.

Joey Bosa: Netflix, Rivalry, and Reluctance

Joey Bosa, star pass rusher for the Chargers, is no stranger to Mahomes’ dominance. The Chiefs have routinely bested Bosa’s squad, and the sting only grew deeper when Mahomes was featured on Netflix’s “Quarterback” series. Bosa’s refusal to even watch the documentary is telling: “I don’t want to watch my rival. See how great he is.” For Bosa, the rivalry is so intense, he’d rather avoid Mahomes’ highlights altogether—and that frustration has boiled over on the field, with Bosa even accused of targeting Mahomes in games.

Jamar Chase: Petty, Salty, and Unapologetic

Bengals receiver Jamar Chase has developed a public, playful, and sometimes petty rivalry with Mahomes. After losing to the Chiefs on a last-second field goal in the AFC Championship, Chase refused to say Mahomes’ name in interviews, insisted Joe Burrow was the real No. 1, and declined jersey swaps with Chiefs players. The back-and-forth continued on social media, with Mahomes posting pictures of his Super Bowl rings as a response to Chase’s snubs. Chase’s “anybody but the Chiefs” stance is part rivalry, part respect, and part relentless trash talk.

Troy Aikman: Old-School Shade

NFL legend Troy Aikman’s beef with Mahomes is rooted in legacy. When Mahomes shattered touchdown records early in his career, fans compared his stats to Aikman’s entire career. Aikman fired back, “Talk to me when he has 33% of my Super Bowl titles.” The former Cowboys star has continued to throw shade, questioning whether Mahomes can ever catch Tom Brady and frequently critiquing Mahomes’ play on broadcasts. For Aikman, Mahomes represents the new school, and he’s not ready to pass the torch.

Micah Parsons: Rule-Changer

Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons’ rivalry with Mahomes is both physical and philosophical. After Mahomes started using clever sideline moves to bait defenders into late hit penalties, Parsons called for the NFL to change its rules. He argued that Mahomes was “cheating the system,” and the league actually considered clarifying the rules because of the controversy. Parsons’ attempts to “nerf” Mahomes are proof of just how much Mahomes has changed the game—and how much he gets under opponents’ skin.

Tashaun Gibson & Jack Jones: Humiliation and Holiday Hate

49ers safety Tashaun Gibson famously called Mahomes “just a regular quarterback” after forcing an interception in the Super Bowl. Mahomes responded by leading a comeback win, with Gibson’s words haunting him at the Chiefs’ victory parade. Patriots cornerback Jack Jones took his rivalry up a notch on Christmas Day 2023, intercepting Mahomes and taunting him—and even faking out a Chiefs fan by pretending to give away the ball. Jones later declared, “I’m not intimidated by him,” and described how he wanted to stare Mahomes down in the end zone. For these defenders, embarrassing Mahomes is a badge of honor.

Maxx Crosby: “I’m Trying to Literally Kill Him Every Play”

Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby has the most intense Mahomes rivalry in the league. Crosby has openly admitted, “I’m trying to literally kill him every play,” and routinely baits Mahomes with late pushes, trash talk, and psychological warfare. The feud has led to viral moments—like Mahomes being mocked for his “Kermit the Frog” voice and Raiders fans dressing in Kermit costumes. Crosby’s mission every time the Raiders face the Chiefs? Get under Mahomes’ skin and disrupt his rhythm, by any means necessary.

Ben Roethlisberger: Jealousy and Dismissal

Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger stirred controversy by insisting he’d take Aaron Rodgers in his prime over Mahomes, despite Mahomes’ superior stats and achievements. The comment sparked backlash from fans and Mahomes’ trainer, who mocked Roethlisberger’s own decline. The numbers don’t lie—Mahomes has already surpassed many of Roethlisberger’s career milestones, but Big Ben remains unconvinced.

Eli Manning: Championship Ring Trolling

Eli Manning, known for his own Super Bowl heroics, found a playful way to troll Mahomes. As co-owners of women’s soccer teams, Manning flexed his NWSL championship ring, telling Mahomes, “You may have one more [Super Bowl ring] than me, but do you have one of these?” Manning’s friendly banter is a reminder that even legends can’t resist poking fun at Mahomes’ ever-expanding trophy case.

Josh Allen: Haunted by Mahomes

The Bills’ Josh Allen has been repeatedly thwarted by Mahomes in the playoffs, most notably in the infamous overtime coin toss game. Allen’s frustration has become a running joke, with fans editing him into nightmare scenarios where Mahomes is his Freddy Krueger. Mahomes himself has joked about Allen’s “biggest fear” being a coin toss. For Allen, Mahomes is the ultimate playoff villain—the obstacle he can’t seem to overcome.

The Impact: Mahomes as NFL’s Most Polarizing Star

Patrick Mahomes’ greatness has made him a target for rivals, legends, and even rule changes. Whether it’s petty social media beefs, old-school shade, or outright physical animosity, Mahomes has inspired a new era of competitive hate—one that only fuels his legend. For every player who tries to humiliate, troll, or even “kill” him on the field, Mahomes responds with wins, rings, and viral comebacks.

In the end, the hate is a testament to his impact. Mahomes isn’t just the NFL’s golden child—he’s its ultimate antagonist, the standard by which all others are measured, and the rival every player wants to dethrone.