Raiders HC Antonio Pierce speaks out on viral Kermit the Frog video mocking Patrick Mahomes

Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce has moved quickly to shut down the furor after a Kermit the Frog puppet was used to mock Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The getup of the dummy resembled the Super Bowl MVP's hair and it was wearing a Kansas City jersey. It was reportedly brought to the session by a fan but safety Trey Taylor was seen holding it and saying "I'm a b*tch", clowning Patrick Mahomes in the process.

Now, all of that, one would assume, is par for the course when it comes to mocking a divisional rival. Both the Chiefs and the Raiders play in the AFC West and have a fierce and historical rivalry. However, in recent years it has been pretty one-sided as Kansas City has established a dynasty with three Super Bowl wins with Patrick Mahomes, whereas the Raiders are yet to make the playoffs regularly since moving to Las Vegas.

Hence, Antonio Pierce probably does not want to give even more motivation to the Chiefs prior to their meetings this season. Perhaps wisely, he wanted to draw a line under the whole affair and commented:

"We addressed it as a team yesterday, and we nipped it in the bud. it's over with."

Antonio Pierce's Raiders have much to fear from Patrick Mahomes' Chiefs

Antonio Pierce is taking the high road probably out of necessity. But the damage might already have been done. Patrick Mahomes was asked if he had seen the video and, instead of any trash talk, he replied in an ice-cold manner. The quarterback said:

"It's still early in the year. It'll get handled when it gets handled."

The response makes it clear that Patrick Mahomes wants to reply to Antonio Pierce's players when the Raiders take on the Chiefs twice in AFC West matchups in the upcoming season. It is an ominous sign.

The Chiefs' quarterback has a 10-2 record against the Raiders. And as Robert Griffin III pointed out, Kansas City has won the last eight AFC West titles. They are again favorites this year and if Las Vegas had thought they would upset the apple cart, they will have to do it against a player who they have poked.

The only way for Antonio Pierce out of this might be to back up the talk with besting Andy Reid when they meet. But then again, the Raiders won against the Chiefs in December last year. Yet, at the end of the season, it was Mahomes with the Super Bowl trophy.