Mike Tirico jokingly ribbed his Sunday Night Football partner Cris Collinsworth for his well-documented Patrick Mahomes fascination.

During Sunday night's Week 7 matchup, the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks welcomed the Kansas City Chiefs in what promised to be an exciting contest for NFL enthusiasts. Yet Tirico didn't hesitate to acknowledge the Mahomes-related running gag.

For years, viewers have jested that Collinsworth manages to praise Mahomes with effusive enthusiasm regardless of what unfolds on the field, whether it's a spectacular pass or a mundane, unremarkable, or even unsuccessful play. The running joke has grown to the point where viewers claim that Collinsworth references Mahomes during contests or scenarios where the Chiefs' signal-caller isn't even participating or relevant.

Since Mahomes was competing on Sunday night with Collinsworth in the NBC booth, Tirico remarked: "The Chiefs also still have Patrick Mahomes.

"Is that right?" responded Collinsworth, apparently recognizing where his play-by-play announcer was headed. Tirico then joked: "I know you like to mention him."

The jest has entered mainstream culture, with comedian Nikki Glaser poking fun at Collinsworth's notable fixation with the Chiefs' standout. During a visit to The Dan Patrick Show last month, Collinsworth acknowledged he almost told Mahomes he was going to criticize him during one broadcast, simply to change the perception.

"I almost told Patrick when we had our meeting, 'Hey, man, one of these games I'm just going to rip you for no apparent reason. Would you be good with that?'" Collinsworth said. "Knowing Patrick, he'd be like, 'Yeah, it's fine, don't worry about it.'"

Heading into the Sunday Night Football matchup against the Seahawks, Mahomes had guided the Chiefs to an unblemished 5-0 start. He had accumulated 1,309 passing yards and nine touchdowns while throwing three interceptions.

Following the victory over the Los Angeles Chargers that improved their record to 5-0, Mahomes notched his 100th career regular-season victory, matching Tom Brady for the fewest starts in NFL history (131) to accomplish that feat.

"It's awesome 'cause he's the GOAT, man," Mahomes told CBS sideline reporter Melanie Collins when questioned about what it means to be mentioned alongside the seven-time Super Bowl champion.

"He's the one that's shown us how to do it, winning the Super Bowls and winning every single week, so it's always an honor to be mentioned in his name, but it seems like every time I win a game, I'm tying him, so I'm gonna have to keep winning."

The Seahawks went on to win Sunday's game 20-3, improving to a 4-3 record. The Chiefs are now 5-1, but still poised to reach the playoffs.