Patrick Mahomes has been quietly lobbying the Chiefs coaches to let him punt in a game
There isn’t much missing on Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ résumé.
Mahomes has won two NFL MVP awards, had seasons in which he’s led the league in passing yards, touchdown throws and lowest interception rate. He’s also had 13 fourth-quarter comebacks and led the Chiefs to a pair of Super Bowl titles, winning the game’s MVP both times.
But in Mahomes’ mind, there is something missing from his career statistics: punting numbers.
During his weekly interview on KCSP (610 AM), Mahomes said Monday that he’s been lobbying the Chiefs coaching staff to let him punt.
Mahomes revealed that after KCSP’s Carrington Harrison asked if tight end Travis Kelce should get a chance to punt. Kelce showed good form when he booted a ball into the stands after a touchdown Sunday at Jacksonville.
“I mean, if Travis gets a punt before I do, I’m gonna be kind of pissed off,” Mahomes said. “I’ve been battling for me to get a punt, but it’s hard when your punter is so good to not let him do it. But one of these days I will get a punt, and I’m gonna pin it inside the 5-yard line.”
Who knew that was something Mahomes wanted to try?
Harrison thought it would make sense for the Chiefs to fake a fourth-down play and let Mahomes punt the ball.
Just such a situation presented itself in the Chiefs’ 17-9 win at Jacksonville. In the first quarter, the Chiefs punted from the Jacksonville 37-yard line.
Rather than let Mahomes have his chance, the Chiefs called on All-Pro punter Tommy Townsend. He did a great job, pinning the Jaguars at the 2-yard line.
“I’ve been saying it for years,” Mahomes said, “but every time we’re in that opportunity like we were the other day, then we give it to Tommy. Then he just pins it at the 2-yard line. So it’s Tommy’s fault, if anybody.”
You can listen to the entire interview here.
This story was originally published September 19, 2023 at 9:33 AM.
