Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes on behind-the-back pass: ‘Wasn’t how it was drawn up’

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JUNE 15: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs speaks to the press during Chiefs Mini Camp on June 15, 2023 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Kyle Rivas/Getty Images)
The Kansas City Chiefs lost to the Detroit Lions in Saturday’s preseason game, and that was the least discussed topic for everyone who witnessed another Patrick Mahomes magic moment.

The Chiefs quarterback addressed the media shortly after Saturday’s game to explain fully how the behind-the-pack pass came to fruition.

“It was an RPO (Run, Pass, Option) play, and Travis (Kelce) was supposed to run an out route,” Mahomes explained. “We had the leverage we wanted. I should have known because he asked me what he had as he was motioning over. You can see him kind of look back at me. I thought I told him and it was going to be open, so I pulled it, and then he wasn’t out there, so I was gonna run for it, and of course, he was blocking, and he’s turned around, and I just threw it to him.

“So, it wasn’t how it was drawn up, but I always told you it has to happen naturally. I can’t force it, and I did it, but then I actually forgot about it. And then getting asked about it probably looks pretty cool, but I haven’t actually got to see it yet.”

The play was rumored to have been consistently worked on by Mahomes in practice, but he insists that it was a natural moment that wasn’t planned.

“It’s just naturally got to happen,” Mahomes continued. “Like, if you look at that play, like, I’m gonna say it’s the only way you can make that throw, but it was kind of like, it would have been hard for me to kind of turn and throw it back across above the guy at the two guys chasing me, I think so we’ll see when we get on film. But it’s not something that I’m going to try to major in. Might be something that just kind of happens every once in a while.”

During his mid-game interview, Mahomes joked about the situation but understood it was a risky pass attempt that worked out.

“I knew it was low. I was hoping it got to Travis,” Mahomes said. “I knew it was kind of on target. It just was low. But like I said, it wasn’t like, I didn’t do it to, like, look cool. I was like, why didn’t you run that route like that? And then it just worked out.”

The play will likely lead every highlight reel for the next few weeks, but at least this time, there is a detailed explanation of the magic.

This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes on behind-the-back pass: ‘Wasn’t how it was drawn up’