Patrick Mahomes behind the back pass against the Lions (Image via IMAGO/X)
A few days ago, when Patrick Mahomes tried out the behind-the-back pass in training, it was merely a foreshadow of the things to come in the future. The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback proved he can also do it during an NFL game.
Around the 6-minute mark in the first quarter, the Chiefs had the ball near the 3rd and 3 inside the Detroit Lions half. After taking the snap, Mahomes faked a layoff to rookie running back Carson Steele and checked back for a free receiver.
However, Mahomes pulled off the unthinkable. He saw Travis Kelce wide open just ahead of the line of scrimmage and threw a behind-the-back pass.
Social media in shock after Patrick Mahomes’ behind-the-back pass against the Lions
Kelce caught the pass for a first down but failed to gain more yards as the Lions’ defense closed the door on him. Regardless, the Arrowhead was buzzing to witness something special from Patrick Mahomes.
Patrick Mahomes (Image via IMAGO)
The game’s commentators revealed that head coach Andy Reid encouraged Mahomes to try out the behind-the-back pass in a game, and he did just that.
This son of a gun actually did it!! Magic Mahomes
— Jason Kelce (@JasonKelce) August 17, 2024
If you missed it, here it is. Now that it’s been done in the preseason, I got a fever, and I need more cowbell https://t.co/6XLwKtrgpm
— Jason Kelce (@JasonKelce) August 17, 2024
Patrick Mahomes just threw a behind the back pass to Travis Kelce. I’m done. #NFL
— Cris Carter (@criscarter80) August 17, 2024
Patrick Mahomes took that NFL players can’t play in the NBA debate seriously and brought the basketball court to the football field with this BEHIND THE BACK BEAUTY. Don’t compare any QBs to him, he is in A WORLD OF HIS OWN. pic.twitter.com/rbod8t4Fov
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) August 17, 2024
Can’t believe he actually did it 😂 https://t.co/mKY8BqJNZ3
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) August 17, 2024
Yuh X 🚀🎸
— Hollywood Brown (@Primetime_jet) August 17, 2024
Kids will now yell out MAHOMES when attempting behind-the-back passes on fields all across the country: pic.twitter.com/uwR35MVBt5
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) August 17, 2024
Mahomes.
Best player in the league.
Stupid to say otherwise.
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) August 17, 2024
Mahomes definitely saw Caleb Williams make this throw and said bet I can too https://t.co/ONAGPrESIR pic.twitter.com/gYWRtEKhdr
— Bearsszn (@bearssznn) August 17, 2024
Patrick Mahomes behind the back to Travis Kelce… you’re kidding. let’s GOOOO!!! pic.twitter.com/gfvUPPaCrJ
— Lexi (@lexiosborne) August 17, 2024
Behold the Mahomes behind the back pass! They finally did it in a game.pic.twitter.com/Tq1U7o409j
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) August 17, 2024
I feel like Mahomes has all the exact same intrusive thoughts as Josh Allen except when he does it they always work https://t.co/tGFb457QG7
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) August 17, 2024
Patrick Mahomes just threw a LeBron James behind the back dime to Travis Kelce 🤯🤯🤯 #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/aZD44hct8W
— Alex Monaco (@Alex__Monaco) August 17, 2024
“Mahomes is the 4th best player in the NFL”
Mahomes immediately: https://t.co/poMa1Zxh8A pic.twitter.com/KjuWhznMG4
— Cowboys Due Diligence (@StevieJPTX) August 17, 2024
Mahomes revealed why he attempted the behind-the-back pass to Kelce
In between the halftime break, reporters caught up with Mahomes and asked him about his sensational pass to Kelce. The multiple-times NFL MVP revealed the pass wasn’t premeditated but rather a spur-of-the-moment adjustment because Kelce couldn’t hear his call.
Kansas City Chiefs will have at least a couple of more years of watching the Travis Kelce Patrick Mahomes combo win games (Image via Imago)
Long story short, Travis [Kelce] didn’t run the route he was supposed to run, and then it was kinda behind the back pass because I was mad. He was supposed to run a flat route. I don’t know if you can hear me on the broadcast, yelling at him, and then he doesn’t run it, so out of spite I do it behind the back pass, but now it’s gonna be a highlight.Patrick Mahomes revealed
The reporter further asked if the move was improvised.
100%. That’s what I have been trying to say to everybody—it can’t be planned.Mahomes quipped
“Out of spite, I threw a behind-the-back pass.”
The story of @PatrickMahomes’ iconic pass to @TKelce is legendary 😂 pic.twitter.com/pkVwBElGym
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) August 17, 2024
Mahomes sent shivers down the spine of the entire NFL when he first introduced the behind-the-back pass last week in training. On that occasion, it was running back Isiah Pacheco who caught the ball and scored a touchdown.
