Patrick Mahomes' latest trick with the Chiefs? A behind-the-back pass to Travis Kelce
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has shown us plenty of different throws during his NFL career, like the no-look pass, jump passes and even throwing lefty.
On Saturday, during the Chiefs' preseason game against the Detroit Lions, Mahomes tried out a new one: a behind-the-back pass.
After rolling to his right, Mahomes was getting pressured by Lions defensive lineman Josh Paschal when he attempted the trick pass to Travis Kelce, who picked up eight yards and a first down on the play. The Chiefs' drive would result in a field goal.
Mahomes threw it 'out of spite'
After he was taken out of the game, Mahomes did an interview with CBS Sports and said that Kelce was supposed to run a different route on the play. That upset Mahomes, who then improvised and made the behind-the-back pass 'out of spite.'
"I was pissed off at Travis. He was supposed to run a flat route — I don't know if you could hear me on the broadcast, I'm yelling at him — and then he doesn't run it," Mahomes said. "So, out of spite, I threw a behind-the-back pass, but now it's gonna be a highlight."
For his part, Kelce claimed it was a communication error due to Mahomes' distinct high-pitched voice.
"You know he's got the voice thing ... so he kinda mumbled out the play," Kelce said during a mid-game interview. "I couldn't hear it. I was walking up to the line and I was like trying to decipher what he was saying. Before I knew it he snapped the ball and I kinda saw him out of my peripheral running to the sideline so I was trying to help my guy out. By the time I looked over there he was already in mid-form like a photo on a sports card throwing the ball to me so it was just right place, right time."
Saturday was not the debut of Mahomes' behind-the-back pass. He's been working on it for several weeks in practice, completing passes to Isiah Pacheco and Carson Steele.
The latest bit of magic from the three-time Super Bowl champion and two-time NFL MVP also attracted reaction from some notable viewers of Saturday afternoon's game.
Travis Kelce's brother, former NFL center Jason Kelce, was watching and posted on X, "This son of a gun actually did it!! Magic Mahomes ... Now that it’s been done in the preseason, I got a fever, and I need more cowbell."
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas was in attendance at GEHA Field and summed up Mahomes' decision perfectly: "That was unnecessary, but beautiful!!!"
Mahomes said this week he's been itching to attempt the pass in a game and that Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has been pushing him to make it happen.
"I'm telling you, he's all for it,'" Mahomes said. "It's me that's the one that's hesitant to do it in the game."
But, Mahomes said, the main part of working in this new type of pass: "If you do it, it's got to work."
It worked on Saturday and don't be surprised if we see it again at some point during the regular season.