Patrick Mahomes stands atop the NFL like few athletes ever have—dominant, charismatic, and seemingly untouchable. But greatness comes at a price, and for Mahomes, that price has been a long list of enemies who’ve tried to take him down and failed spectacularly. From brutal on-field clashes to social media feuds that set the internet on fire, these rivalries reveal the full picture of football’s reigning king—and the growing crowd of challengers desperate to dethrone him.
Joey Bosa: The Relentless Rival Turned Obsession
Few matchups have burned hotter or lasted longer than the one between Patrick Mahomes and Joey Bosa. For years, Bosa’s Chargers defense threw everything at Kansas City’s quarterback—blitzes, strip sacks, and bone-rattling hits—but Mahomes always found a way to win.
The rivalry took on new heat when Netflix released its Quarterback documentary, featuring Mahomes front and center. When asked if he’d watched it, Bosa didn’t mince words. “Why would I watch a show about Patrick Mahomes?” he scoffed. It was pure disdain, the kind born from years of frustration.
Bosa’s aggression didn’t stop there. In 2022, he landed a controversial low tackle on Mahomes, prompting Brittany Mahomes to call it out as “dirty.” The play sparked debate across the league—but it also cemented the bad blood. Now wearing a Bills uniform, Bosa hasn’t forgotten. Every matchup still carries that personal edge, and Mahomes knows it. When they meet, it’s not just football—it’s payback.
Jamar Chase: “Pat Who?” Meets Championship Clapback
If you’re going to call out Patrick Mahomes, you better be ready for what comes next. In 2023, Bengals star receiver Jamar Chase took a jab at the reigning MVP when he dismissed him with two words that became infamous: “Pat who?”
The dig came after Joe Burrow praised Mahomes as the league’s best quarterback. Chase, loyal to his teammate, couldn’t resist the shade. The internet erupted—and Mahomes noticed.
After winning yet another Super Bowl, Mahomes fired back without saying a word. He posted a photo of his championship rings with the caption: “That’s who.” It was the ultimate mic drop—classy, cutting, and devastatingly effective.
Chase, for his part, didn’t back down. He doubled down in interviews, still refusing to name Mahomes while acknowledging his greatness through gritted teeth. But in the court of public opinion, Mahomes had already won. His rings did the talking.
Troy Aikman: When Legends Feel the Heat
It’s not just Mahomes’s peers who’ve taken shots—it’s legends, too. Back in 2019, after stats showed Mahomes had thrown 36% of Troy Aikman’s career touchdowns in just 8% of the games, Aikman clapped back: “Talk to me when he has 33% of my Super Bowl titles.”
Fast forward to 2024. Mahomes had matched all three.
The internet unearthed Aikman’s old tweet, and fans had a field day. The once snarky challenge became a reminder that Mahomes hadn’t just met the standard—he’d obliterated it. Even Aikman later admitted respect for Mahomes’s achievements. Still, the tension lingered. During broadcasts, Aikman accused Mahomes of “flopping for flags” and manipulating rules to his advantage. Whether that was fair criticism or lingering envy, one thing was certain: Mahomes had rewritten the record books, and the old guard was still catching up.
Micah Parsons: The Rule-Bender Debate
Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons—now with the Green Bay Packers—has been one of Mahomes’s most outspoken critics. His gripe? Mahomes’s uncanny ability to bend the rules without breaking them.
Parsons accused Mahomes of “cheating the system” with fake slides and slowing down near the sidelines to bait penalties. “Defenders are damned if they do, damned if they don’t,” Parsons said. His frustration boiled over during their 2021 showdown, where he sacked Mahomes twice and forced a fumble.
Yet, behind the fire, there’s mutual respect. Mahomes has called Parsons “a special player,” and Parsons has praised Mahomes’s arm talent even while gritting his teeth over his tactics. Their rivalry is the perfect example of football’s paradox—you can admire greatness while hating how much it beats you.
Talanoa Hufanga: “Regular Quarterback” Karma
Then there’s Talanoa Hufanga, the 49ers safety who learned the hard way why you never poke the bear. During Super Bowl LVIII, Hufanga intercepted Mahomes and shouted to his sideline, “He’s just a regular quarterback!”
Mahomes heard about it—and responded in the most humiliating way possible. He led the Chiefs to another comeback win, earned another Super Bowl MVP, and at the team’s victory parade, mocked Hufanga’s words in front of thousands: “I’m a regular quarterback!” The crowd roared. The clip went viral. Hufanga had made the mistake of giving Mahomes motivation on the biggest stage imaginable—and he paid for it.
Jack Jones: The Grinch Who Picked Off Mahomes
Christmas Day 2023. Raiders cornerback Jack Jones intercepted Mahomes and returned it for a touchdown. But the play wasn’t what made headlines—it was what happened next.
As Jones approached the stands, a young Chiefs fan reached out, thinking he’d get the ball as a keepsake. Jones faked the handoff—then yanked it away at the last second. The internet dubbed him “The Grinch,” and the moment became infamous.
Jones later boasted that he “wanted to rattle Mahomes,” claiming he refused to see him as untouchable. But karma came quick. After a short-lived stint with the Raiders, Jones became a free agent—and Mahomes’s Chiefs went on to another playoff run.
Maxx Crosby: The Fire and the Respect
Of all Mahomes’s divisional foes, Maxx Crosby of the Raiders may be the one who’s earned his respect the most. Their rivalry hit boiling point during a 2022 Monday Night Football game when Crosby headbutted Mahomes after a play. Mahomes fired back after a touchdown, screaming at Crosby, “I’m here all day!”
The clip went viral, spawning memes and mocking impressions of Mahomes’s voice—but beneath the entertainment lay real mutual respect. The two have since acknowledged that their rivalry pushes them to play harder. “It’s all love after the whistle,” Crosby said. “But between the lines, it’s war.”
Ben Roethlisberger: Refusing to Pass the Torch
When retired Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger was asked to pick between Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes, he didn’t hesitate. “I’d take Rodgers,” he said—ignoring the fact that Mahomes had already surpassed his career in nearly every major category.
Mahomes’s camp laughed it off, fans roasted the take online, and analysts labeled it what it was: denial. Mahomes’s numbers, rings, and leadership have already placed him in a different stratosphere. Roethlisberger may have been one of the greats—but Mahomes is building a dynasty that leaves no room for nostalgia.
Eli Manning: The Ring Rivalry with a Smile
Not every Mahomes rivalry is fueled by hate. Eli Manning’s playful trolling over Super Bowl rings added humor to the mix. Manning showed off his NWSL championship ring from his ownership of Gotham FC, joking that it tied them at three titles each.
Mahomes laughed it off, appearing alongside Manning on Monday Night Football’s “ManningCast,” trading jokes about underwear superstitions and football rituals. Beneath the laughter, though, lies the truth—Mahomes is already chasing a legacy that few, if any, quarterbacks can match.
Josh Allen: The Rival Who Can’t Escape the Shadow
No rivalry defines Mahomes’s dominance quite like his ongoing saga with Buffalo’s Josh Allen. Four playoff meetings. Four Mahomes victories.
Their 2022 Divisional Round duel remains one of the greatest games in NFL history—a 42–36 overtime thriller where Allen never even got to touch the ball in OT. When asked later what he feared most, Mahomes grinned and said, “A coin toss.” It was savage, subtle, and unforgettable.
Allen’s heartbreak became folklore. Despite his brilliance, he’s yet to get over the Mahomes hump. Each rematch brings new hope—and the same painful ending.
The Price of Greatness
In every era, greatness divides opinion. For Patrick Mahomes, being the best means being the most targeted. Opponents study him, envy him, and sometimes loathe him—but every rivalry only seems to make him stronger.
Whether it’s Bosa’s frustration, Chase’s bravado, or Allen’s heartbreak, they all share one thing in common: the bitter experience of learning that when you challenge Mahomes, you’re playing with fire.
Because in the NFL, kings aren’t made by avoiding enemies—they’re crowned by conquering them. And Patrick Mahomes, love him or hate him, has conquered them all.
