Patrick Mahomes behind the back pass video: Chiefs use trick play to Travis Kelce for first down in preseason

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Sarah Effress
• 5 min read
Patrick Mahomes
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Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs embark this season on a quest for a historic third Super Bowl in a row.

The team's preseason contests offer a small glimpse into what opponents and fans are in for throughout the year ahead when it comes to Andy Reid's first-team players, and his offense debuted a new weapon in its second game against the Detroit Lions. 

One of Mahomes' favorite targets is Travis Kelce, so it made sense when he slung a smooth behind-the-back pass to the star tight end during the Chiefs' second drive of the game for an eight-yard gain. The play resulted in a first down and kept the offense alive until it settled for a 37-yard field goal to go up 6-0 with just over three minutes remaining in the first quarter.

Here's everything you need to know about Mahomes' behind-the-back pass to Kelce in the Chiefs preseason game.

MORE: NFL Preseason injury tracker | RB depth charts

Patrick Mahomes behind-the-back pass to Travis Kelce video

Mahomes has been attempting to coax Reid into adding a behind-the-back play to the Chiefs offense for several years. However, the team's social media has revealed clips of the quarterback attempting the throw in training camp, alluding to the possibility that it may become a fixture of his game this season.

"Coach Reid wants me to throw it behind-the-back more than anyone in the world," Mahomes said on a "First Things First" appearance in May. "He deliberately puts in plays that when I have the opportunity to throw it. It's not a coaching thing, it's me not having that confidence to do it in the game. One of these games, man. We gotta do it. There's too much hype in it. Hopefully it's to Travis [Kelce]."

And so it was. Mahomes revealed the new trick play on Saturday, and it ended up in Kelce's hands, just as the fates predicted. Whether he pulls it out during the regular season is to be determined, but one thing's for sure: the behind-the-back pass will only make the Chiefs even tougher to beat on their journey back to the title game.

Patrick Mahomes behind-the-back pass to Travis Kelce, explained

After two drives, Mahomes was replaced by Carson Wentz for the rest of the game and spoke about the trick play while on the sideline. Contrary to the belief that the pass was simply "Mahomes magic," the quarterback revealed Kelce ran the wrong route and he threw the ball to him "out of spite." It just so happened that it was one of the coolest balls he's ever thrown. 

Kelce also commented on the throw when he was subbed out, saying he was unable to understand when Mahomes "mumbled out the play," while also poking fun at the quarterback's voice and imitating him. The tight end said Mahomes looked like "a photo on a sports card" as he was moving to toss the ball behind his back, and thankfully, it worked.

Reactions to Patrick Mahomes behind-the-back pass to Travis Kelce

Naturally, upon Mahomes' completion of the unlikely pass, social media went berserk. Here are the best reactions to the trick play so far, including input from Jason Kelce.

Author(s)
Author Photo
Sarah Effress
Sarah Effress is an editorial intern for The Sporting News. She is a recent graduate of Northwestern University, and loves to talk soccer and women's college sports.
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