Patrick Mahomes sparked another viral moment when a playful social media post coincided with Dylan Raiola‘s transfer decision to Oregon. The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback shared a photo of himself in an Oregon Ducks jersey while rehabbing a knee injury, paying off a lost bet with rookie linebacker Jeffrey Bassa, an Oregon alum.
The wager came after Oregon‘s dominant Orange Bowl win over Texas Tech, Bassa’s alma mater. Yet the image quickly took on a life of its own, with fans joking that Raiola’s eventual commitment to the Ducks was “inevitable” once Mahomes donned the jersey.
Raiola, long compared to Mahomes for his playing style and look, arrives in Eugene after two seasons at Nebraska. His sophomore year was cut short by a broken fibula after throwing for over 2,000 yards and 18 touchdowns in nine starts, though he completed 72.4% of his passes, showing strong development.
Oregon’s QB picture still in flux
Despite Raiola’s arrival, Oregon‘s quarterback situation remains fluid. Dante Moore led the Ducks to the College Football Playoff semifinals but has not announced if he will declare for the 2026 NFL Draft. Fans, however, have already tied Raiola’s transfer and Mahomes’ jersey post together as part of a single viral narrative.
For Mahomes, this is his first postseason watching from home, sidelined due to torn ACL and LCL injuries sustained in Week 15 against the Los Angeles Chargers. He underwent reconstructive surgery in Texas with Dr. Daniel Cooper, aiming for a Week 1 return in 2026.
The enforced break has also allowed rare family moments with wife Brittany and their three children. The couple recently celebrated the first birthday of their daughter Golden Raye on January 12. Brittany shared a video from the party, showing Golden wearing a “One” crown, enjoying cotton candy, and smashing a strawberry cake.
At one point, Golden appeared to take her first steps, drawing cheers from family, including grandparents. Mahomes was seen wearing a knee brace, while head coach Andy Reid provided a positive update on his recovery.
