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.
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
Can’t believe he actually did it https://t.co/mKY8BqJNZ3
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) August 17, 2024
That was unnecessary, but beautiful!!!
— Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) August 17, 2024
Pat saw the Caleb highlights and was like ok time to do the behind the back for real
— Mitchell Schwartz (@MitchSchwartz71) 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
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
And there it is. We’ve been taking about it for 3 years. Next level stuff https://t.co/DgWLls8LoJ
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) August 17, 2024
OMG Mahomes actually did it! A behind the back pass to Travis Kelce! pic.twitter.com/QJJLqyIkt0
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) August 17, 2024
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.
Me when Mahomes threw that behind the back pass to Kelce: pic.twitter.com/2x3gWaq5T3
— Lauren (@dogmomRN23) August 17, 2024