In one of the most shocking developments in recent NFL history, superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes has officially joined the Las Vegas Raiders, just days before the team is set to face his former franchise, the Kansas City Chiefs.
The announcement sent shockwaves across the league late Friday night, with fans, analysts, and even players struggling to process the unimaginable — Mahomes, the face of the Chiefs for nearly a decade, switching sides to join one of Kansas City’s fiercest division rivals. The timing couldn’t be more dramatic, with the two teams meeting in a crucial Week 7 AFC West showdown this Sunday.
Mahomes, who led the Chiefs to multiple Super Bowl appearances and two championships, reportedly finalized the deal late Thursday. Sources close to the situation described it as “a sudden and emotional decision,” one that caught even Chiefs’ front office executives by surprise. The Raiders are believed to have offered Mahomes a historic contract package, both in salary and long-term guarantees, signaling their full commitment to rebuilding around the 29-year-old quarterback.
Social media erupted within minutes of the news breaking. Chiefs fans expressed disbelief, with some calling it “the biggest betrayal in franchise history.” Raiders fans, on the other hand, celebrated the move as a “new era in Las Vegas,” believing Mahomes could finally return the team to playoff contention and long-lost glory.
Former players and analysts quickly chimed in. ESPN’s Adam Schefter called it “the most seismic in-season move the NFL has ever seen,” while former Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon described it as “the ultimate twist in football’s greatest divisional rivalry.”
Meanwhile, the Chiefs organization released a brief statement early Friday morning, thanking Mahomes for his years of service and leadership. Head Coach Andy Reid, appearing visibly emotional at practice, declined to go into detail but said, “Patrick has meant the world to this team and this city. We wish him the best — just not this Sunday.”
Mahomes himself broke his silence in a short but loaded message posted to X (formerly Twitter):
“New chapter. Same fire. See you Sunday.”
The Raiders wasted no time making their new quarterback feel at home. Mahomes reportedly took part in a closed practice session Friday morning, wearing the iconic silver-and-black for the first time. Sources inside the team facility said his presence “instantly changed the energy” and that “players were locked in like never before.”
Sunday’s matchup between the Chiefs and Raiders was already one of the most anticipated games of the season — now, it’s a full-blown spectacle. For Mahomes, it’s more than just another divisional game. It’s personal.
As the NFL braces for what could become the most-watched regular-season game in years, one question remains: Will Mahomes make the Chiefs regret letting him go, or will Kansas City remind him that loyalty still matters at Arrowhead?
Either way, this Week 7 clash just became historic.
