NFL Network story wonders if Patrick Mahomes will try behind-the-back pass Sunday
Former 49ers coach Steve Mariucci said during Super Bowl week he wouldn’t be surprised if the Chiefs roll out a new play for Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Mariucci and Chiefs coach Andy Reid have been friends since 1992, so the two know each other well.
But the Chiefs wouldn’t try something crazy would they?
Well, NFL Network reporter Jesse Palmer wrote a story with the headline “Patrick Mahomes lobbying Chiefs to install behind-the-back pass.” In it, he wondered if Mahomes would try that pass against the 49ers in Super Bowl LIV.
Here is part of what Palmer wrote:
But would Mahomes actually do it? On the biggest stage in sports, against a fierce 49ers defense, would the 24-year-old really decide to throw a pass behind his back?
“I think he’s got a little trick up his sleeve, but I don’t want to spoil nothing,” wide receiver Demarcus Robinson said with a laugh.
Mahomes showed Chiefs fans that particular throw during training camp in July:
It seems unlikely Mahomes would pull that pass out in Super Bowl LIV on Sunday, as his teammates and coaches told the NFL Network. But, with Mahomes anything is possible.
Remarkably, a receiver wouldn’t need to be near the line of scrimmage to complete the pass. Mahomes’ arm strength on a behind-the-back throw is really good considering the difficulty level.
“I would say 20 yards,” Chiefs wide receiver coach Greg Lewis told Palmer. “Accurate. I mean right to him. I taught him that (laughing). That kid is special; he can do it. I think (quarterback Mike) Kafka will have a fit if he does. I don’t think he’ll do it in a game, but he might. I never expected a left-handed pass and he hit us with that one. I doubt he will, but it’s in there.”
You can read more of the NFL Network story here.
This story was originally published February 2, 2020 at 8:33 AM.
