The Raiders are poking the bear — or frog — early this year.
A Las Vegas football fan brought a Kermit the Frog doll from “The Muppets” to Raiders training camp in Costa Mesa, California, and a video that went viral on social media Thursday showed defensive back Trey Taylor holding the item — which also donned a Patrick Mahomes Chiefs jersey.
Mahomes’ voice has long been compared to Kermit’s, with the three-time Super Bowl champion even getting in on the fun when asked to do an impression before this year’s big game.
“I’m talking right now, that’s it,” Mahomes said when he was asked to mimic Kermit.
On Thursday, Taylor help up the doll, much to the delight of fans behind the cameras, moving the mouth of the doll and saying: “I’m Patrick,” in a high-pitched voice.
Nevertheless, at least one personal connection to Mahomes said he will not forget what the Raiders did this week.
Trey Taylor had fun with the Kermit doll.RaidersAQ/x
Raiders fans brought Kermit the Frog doll with aPatrick Mahomes jersey to training camp.RaidersAQ/x
Mahomes personal trainer, Bobby Stroupe, quote posted on X and wrote “We will remember” as his caption.
It’s not the first time the Raiders have tried to come at their AFC West rivals, with the most notable instance coming in 2021.
Former Las Vegas defensive end Yannick Ngakoue led his team to the Chiefs’ logo at midfield at Arrowhead Stadium before a December 2021 game, giving a rousing speech.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes signs autographs for fans after training camp at Missouri Western State University.Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Nevertheless, it backfired — rather immediately.
The Chiefs won the game 48-9.
The Raiders did upset the Chiefs on Christmas Day this year, 20-14, though Kansas City got the last laugh with a Super Bowl win.
The teams first meet this season in Las Vegas for a Week 8 matchup.