Jason Kelce (and many others) wowed by Patrick Mahomes’ behind-the-back pass

Hours after Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams’ highlight plays went viral on Saturday, a bigger play took place in the Chiefs’ preseason game against the Detroit Lions.

It came when Patrick Mahomes threw a behind-the-back pass to tight end Travis Kelce in the first quarter. The Chiefs faced a third-and-3 play from Detroit’s 25-yard line when the throw went for 8 yards.

That pass might not have been the biggest gainer of Mahomes’ career, but it certainly set social media ablaze.

But here’s the thing: it wasn’t planned. At least that is what Mahomes told former Chiefs quarterback Trent Green during an in-game interview on Saturday.

“Yeah, I mean, 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,” Mahomes said. “He was supposed to run a flat route. I don’t know if you can hear me on the broadcast, I’m yelling at him, and then he doesn’t run it. So out of spite, I’m doing behind-the-back pass, but now it’s going to be a highlight.”

Was Mahomes joking? Perhaps. Was it really not planned? We may not know the real answer, but this much is known: that play caught the fancy of a number of former players and NFL pundits.

That includes Kelce’s brother, Jason. Here is what was being said on social media.

Chiefs fans also went wild for the pass, and there were a lot of great reactions. This is the one I loved most on X.