It finally happened.
After years of social media clips of Patrick Mahomes trying behind-the-back passes during practice or training camp, and after seasons of his head coach Andy Reid apparently urging him to try one in a game, it finally happened.
Seeing his first extended action of the preseason Saturday against the Detroit Lions, after a brief cameo against the Jacksonville Jaguars last week, Mahomes connected with Travis Kelce on a little shovel pass early in the contest.
By throwing it behind his back:
As noted on the play call, the team has been talking about this for a while, and “Andy wants him to do it in a game,” so now he has.
Here is another angle of the behind-the-back throw:
The play saw quick reaction on social media, including from Jason Kelce:
This son of a gun actually did it!! Magic Mahomes
— Jason Kelce (@JasonKelce) August 17, 2024
Of course, Mahomes still has the conventional throws in his arsenal and a new player to target with those. The Chiefs quarterback connected with speedy rookie Xavier Worthy on this touchdown to stake Kansas City to a 13-0 lead:
Yes, it is still preseason, and we have not seen the behind-the-back magic from Mahomes in a regular season game.
But you do get the feeling that moment is coming.