Patrick Mahomes threw a behind-the-back pass to Travis Kelce, and while it wasn’t part of the playbook, it certainly made headlines. The impromptu pass worked flawlessly, but it also sparked a playful spat between the star quarterback and his tight end.
What initially seemed like an audacious, planned move was actually born out of necessity—and maybe a bit of spite. The story behind it adds an entertaining twist to what was already an impressive display of skill.
Mahomes has been toying with the idea of a behind-the-back pass for some time. In 2022, he first attempted it during practice, nailing the crossbar with a perfect throw. Since then, he’s practiced the throw frequently, hitting his target about 85% of the time. Despite his success in practice, Mahomes had yet to try the trick in a real game, something Kelce often teased him about.
Kelce’s wish was finally granted during a preseason game against the Detroit Lions on Saturday. However, the play didn’t unfold as planned. Kelce inadvertently forced Mahomes into a tricky situation by running the wrong route, leaving the quarterback to improvise. With a Detroit defender closing in as Mahomes rolled to his right, Kelce settled into an open spot about five yards out.
In a moment of quick thinking, Mahomes delivered the ball with a smooth behind-the-back pass, securing a nine-yard gain and a first down. The throw was so effortless and precise that it appeared intentional, even though it wasn’t.
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During an interview in the second half, Mahomes was asked about the now-viral play. He explained that the pass only came together because Kelce had run the wrong route, subtly throwing his tight end under the bus. Mahomes didn’t hold back, making it clear that Kelce’s mistake forced him to get creative.
When Kelce was asked for his side of the story, he fired back with a lighthearted jab at Mahomes, poking fun at his famously froggy voice—a quirk that has earned the quarterback comparisons to Kermit the Frog. Kelce jokingly suggested that Mahomes’ voice might have caused some confusion in the huddle, leading to the miscommunication and the subsequent behind-the-back pass.
The exchange was all in good fun, highlighting the strong rapport between the two teammates, who have been playing together since 2017.
Their friendship and chemistry on the field are well-known, and their playful banter is just another example of their close bond. While the Kermit voice joke might be a bit tired at this point, it’s clear that neither player took the exchange too seriously.
In the end, what really mattered was that fans got to witness Mahomes’ behind-the-back pass in a game—something that had been long anticipated.
Whether it was born out of improvisation or intentional showmanship, the play was undeniably cool and a testament to Mahomes’ incredible talent and quick thinking under pressure.
