While he didn’t play the entire game, Patrick Mahomes and a majority of the Kansas City Chiefs starters played for the first quarter in a Week 2 preseason matchup with the Detroit Lions.
In his limited time on the field, Mahomes once again did something incredible, throwing a pass behind his back, and the NFL world has reacted accordingly.
NFL World Reacting to Patrick Mahomes’ Behind-the-Back Pass
Mahomes has had it in his bag for a while, but the behind-the-back pass didn’t officially come out until the Chiefs were at the Detroit 33-yard line on third-and-3.
Following play-action, Mahomes rolled out right and threw the ball behind his back to Travis Kelce, who was in the middle of a parting offensive line, taking it for an 8-yard gain.
OMG Mahomes actually did it! A behind the back pass to Travis Kelce! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/QJJLqyIkt0
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) August 17, 2024
The pass ended up being Kelce’s only catch in the game. For Mahomes, he finished the game going 8-for-14 for 93 yards and no touchdowns.
Later in the third quarter, the announcers interviewed Mahomes and asked him about the play.
According to the star quarterback, Kelce ran the wrong route, causing Mahomes to make the pass out of anger.
“Long story short, Travis didn’t run the route he was supposed to run, and then it was kind of a behind-the-back pass kind of because I was mad, I was pissed off at Travis,” said Mahomes.
.@tkelce ran the wrong route, so @patrickmahomes threw it behind his back because he was mad at him. 😅
"Out of spite, I threw a behind-the-back pass."
📺: #DETvsKC on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/UJZavoLryV— NFL (@NFL) August 17, 2024
“He was supposed to run a flat route … I’m yelling at him, and he doesn’t run it. Out of spite, I threw a behind-the-back pass,” Mahomes added. “Now it’s going to be a highlight.”
The broadcast later interviewed Kelce, who gave his side of the story.
“It wasn’t a play? It was a play, it was a first down,” said Kelce. “He [Mahomes], you know, he’s got the voice thing, so he kind of mumbled out the play, and I couldn’t hear it … Before I knew it, he snapped the ball … I guess right place, right time.”
.@tkelce gives his side of the story and roasts @PatrickMahomes voice while he's at it
"You know he's got the voice thing." 😭 https://t.co/YkMqnnHfkn pic.twitter.com/kDuA2euLTu
— NFL (@NFL) August 17, 2024
The throw wasn’t Mahomes’ only impressive throw, though, as he hit first-round wide receiver Xavier Worthy for a 39-yard gain on the third play of the game. Worthy caught his first touchdown, a 22-yarder, later in the quarter.
“This son of a gun actually did it!! Magic Mahomes,” Jason Kelce, the recently retired brother of Travis Kelce, said on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Kelce added, “If Pat starts throwing behind the back passes every time Travis runs the wrong route, this may be the most exciting year of football to date”
Mahomes had been seen practicing the behind-the-back pass in offseason training over the years and even pulled it out during the team’s OTAs back in June. Now, it’s finally happened in a game setting.
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Some even believe Mahomes could ignite a cultural phenomenon similar to back in 2014 with Odell Beckham Jr.
When Beckham made his famous one-handed grab, it sparked “ODELL!” comments from kids for years whenever they caught a pass with one hand.
“Kids will now yell out MAHOMES when attempting behind-the-back passes on fields all across the country,” Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network said on X.
“I’m convinced Patrick Mahomes was created by AI,” said Patrick Allen of Fansided.
“Mahomes putting the behind-the-back pass on tape during the preseason so teams actually have to worry about it even the tiniest bit during the regular season is just victorious,” said ESPN’s Bill Barnwell.
“Patrick Mahomes just threw a behind-the-back pass to Travis Kelce. I’m done,” said Cris Carter, former Minnesota Vikings receiver and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Patrick Mahomes just threw a behind the back pass to Travis Kelce. I’m done. #NFL
— Cris Carter (@criscarter80) August 17, 2024
“This is getting ridiculous,” said Annie Agar of Stadium.
“Now Mahomes is just playing with people. I might have saved that for the Raiders’ game, but, damn, they’re entertaining,” said Dennis Dodd, CBS’ college football writer.
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While the reactions to Mahomes’ pass were everywhere, plenty of people also reacted to his connection with Worthy.
“Still can’t believe the NFL let Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid get Xavier Worthy,” said Ray G of Bleacher Report.
Former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel also got in the mix on Mahomes connecting with Worthy.
Mahomes to Xavier Worthy.
This really isn’t going to be fair….how did the league let #ChiefsKingdom get Worthy pic.twitter.com/rVEeHFbgeQ
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) August 17, 2024
