Patrick Mahomes is not the most conservative quarterback in the game, and sometimes, it seems he enjoys taking risks. Andy Reid is only willing to accept his antics under one condition, however.
The Kansas City Chiefs will be the team to beat for the third season in a row and are getting ready to chase a third-straight Super Bowl. So Reid will emphasize protecting the football as much as possible.
Mahomes was in an experimental mood when they lost to the Detroit Lions in a preseason fixture on Saturday, making a cheeky behind-the-back pass to Travis Kelce for an eight-yard completion in the first quarter.
MAHOMES BEHIND THE BACK 🫢
📺: #DETvsKC on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/eewdYOpS8c— NFL (@NFL) August 17, 2024
The QB has reportedly been encouraged to try behind-the-back passes in practice and games, throwing one to Isiah Pacheco in a recent session. But trying them in meaningful outings could land him in trouble with Reid if they don’t work.
The head coach admitted he has never seen someone make a behind-the-back pass in a game after Saturday’s loss, though he doesn’t view it as a big deal as long as a completion is made.
“Got to think positive,” he said, per ESPN. “They do it in basketball every game, several times in every game. So it’s not that big of a deal [going] behind the back.”
The HC did not give a reply when pressed on what would happen if Mahomes tries a behind-the-back pass in a regular-season or playoff game and fails to hit his target.
Andy Reid Did Not Design The Play For Patrick Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes has also revealed that the pass in question was improvised and wasn’t designed for him.
“It has to happen naturally,” he explained. “I can’t force it. … It probably looked pretty cool, but I haven’t actually got to see it yet.”
Who knows? Maybe we’ll see another one when the games actually matter.
