Quarterback Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs executed an incredible behind-the-back pass to tight end Travis Kelce, an early contender for this week’s best play. However, Mahomes admitted that the highlight occurred due to a mix-up.

During the first quarter of the Chiefs’ preseason matchup against the Detroit Lions on Saturday, Mahomes displayed his signature flair, connecting with Kelce for a first down using a behind-the-back maneuver. Later, he explained in an in-game interview that this impressive play was completely unplanned.

“To make a long story short, Travis (Kelce) didn’t execute the route he was supposed to,” Mahomes stated. “It turned into a behind-the-back pass because I was frustrated. He was meant to run a flag route, but he didn’t do it. So, out of annoyance, I threw a behind-the-back pass, and now it’s going to be a highlight.”

On third and three at the Lions’ 33-yard line, Mahomes faked a handoff to fullback Carson Steele, moved a few steps to his right, and delivered the unconventional pass to Kelce, successfully moving the chains. With the ball in his right hand, Mahomes flipped it behind him to Kelce, who gained 8 yards for the first down. The drive concluded with a field goal, giving the Chiefs a 6-0 lead over the Lions.

Mahomes, a three-time Super Bowl champion, mentioned that the play “just happened” amidst the confusion.

“That’s what I was trying to convey to everyone. It can’t be planned,” Mahomes explained, having completed 8 of 14 passes for 93 yards in the first two drives of the game before wrapping up his participation. “It has to occur organically within the flow of the game. It wasn’t something I had planned or called.”

Kelce appeared on the broadcast during the fourth quarter and provided a different perspective. He acknowledged that he didn’t run the correct route but implied that it was due to Mahomes, putting the accountability back on his quarterback after Mahomes had earlier done so to him.

“(Mahomes) sort of mumbled the play, and I couldn’t catch it. I was approaching the line trying to figure out what he meant. Before I realized it, he had snapped the ball,” recalled Kelce, who finished with just one reception for 8 yards. “I caught a glimpse of him heading toward the sideline, so I attempted to assist my teammate. By the time I turned to check, he was already mid-action, like a snapshot on a sports card, throwing the ball to me. I suppose I was just at the right place at the right time.”

Kelce ended his interview with a humorous remark: “Don’t let Pat (Mahomes) trick you guys into thinking I did the wrong thing.”

Fans, including Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, have been eager for Mahomes to showcase the behind-the-back pass in a real game, especially since he successfully executed a similar pass to running back Isiah Pacheco during recent training camp. Although Reid supports the idea, Mahomes admitted he has been “hesitant.”

“(Reid) is totally on board. I’m the one holding back from trying it in an actual game,” Mahomes stated earlier this week. “There’s definitely a possibility for it. If you go for it, it has to work.  When you’re having a good day, you feel free to experiment with plays like that. But if things aren’t going well, you lose that opportunity.”

It appears that all went smoothly for Mahomes and the Chiefs, even if the play was spontaneous.