It’s easy to forget about the times before Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes emerged as the dynamo that we know him to be today.
During the 2017 preseason, Mahomes was merely the backup to Chiefs starting QB Alex Smith. Fans were excited about the possibility that the Chiefs had just drafted their quarterback of the future. It was the first time in many years that the franchise had even invested in a quarterback with a first-round draft pick. Little did they know they had the 2018 NFL season’s MVP on their roster. There were some moments, however, where Mahomes flashed the elite play-making ability that we’ve all grown accustomed to.
Here’s a look back at some of the top plays from Mahomes made during the preseason, before anyone knew the type of player that he would become for the Chiefs.
1-yard Touchdown pass to Marcus Kemp vs. 49ers (2017)
This play by Mahomes was one of those backyard style football moments that saw mixed reactions. Many thought these types moments were going to be the downfall of Mahomes in the NFL. Quarterbacks aren’t supposed to be able to throw across their body like this. This is the type of play that by all conventional NFL wisdom should turn into an interception. But we now understand that Mahomes defies conventional NFL wisdom.
There were actually some people hoping that Andy Reid would “coach” this type of play out of Mahomes. Instead of doing that, Reid has embraced the improvisation and wild nature of Mahomes play style. When Mahomes does something amazing and off script Reid says, “That’s exactly how we drew it up.”
Continue…
7-yard pass to Gavin Escobar vs. Bengals (2017)
This play is one where I began to realize that the Chiefs had something special on their hands. Mahomes evades the unblocked Bengals defender, Marquis Flowers, on a naked bootleg. Then while he’s on the run he zips the ball in between three defenders to get it to Gavin Escobar.
Flowers is 6-foot-2 and 245 pounds, and Mahomes just nonchalantly pushes him away, while rolling out. Not to mention, this all happened on third down. This play was the difference between settling for a field goal and putting up a touchdown on the following play. It’s a jarring, but refreshing difference from what the fans were used to seeing with Alex Smith.
Continue…
53-yard pass to Demarcus Robinson vs. Titans (2017)
Robinson isn’t exactly getting the hype he deserves this offseason. The truth is he’s been working with Mahomes for a long time. In 2017, guys like Tyreek Hill, Chris Conley, Albert Wilson and De’Anthony Thomas were getting work ahead of Robinson. Now, there’s really no one left to body block Robinson from getting more play.
It was plays like this one where that chemistry between Mahomes and Robinson began to show. When the play breaks down Robinson is one of Mahomes’ top targets because he knows not to let up on the play. He keeps running and aware and that’s the entire reason that plays like this can happen.
Let’s not take anything away from the throw here either. There are very few guys out there that can make this type of throw on the run with accuracy and touch. Mahomes showed us that he’s one of the guys who can.
Continue…
46-yard pass to Demarcus Robinson vs. Titans (2017)
Can you say chemistry? Mahomes followed up his first big play to Robinson with yet another big play to Robinson. Between the two plays alone Robinson had practically 100 yards receiving on the day.
This play really just showed Mahomes mastery of the offense and reading the field. He knew exactly what route Robinson was supposed to run. As soon as he saw that deep safety settle he knew exactly where to put the ball so that only Robinson could catch it. It’s just a clean and textbook play that probably is a bit underrated as far as Mahomes preseason plays go.
Continue…
28-yard touchdown to Demarcus Robinson vs. Titans (2017)
Three catches for 127 receiving yards and a touchdown is a good first half, right? I swear that all of these passes I’m highlighting aren’t just to Robinson, even if it seems like that’s the case.
Mahomes does a good job with his eyes on this play. He starts looking at Marcus Kemp in the middle of the field and that’s where all the safety help for the Titans goes. As soon as Robinson breaks free he throws with touch and puts it right in the back of the endzone.
Continue…
69-yard touchdown to Tyreek Hill vs. Falcons (2018)
Mahomes didn’t have the flashiest 2018 preseason. Combined with the training camp interceptions, it really gave the skeptics some serious ammunition. Chiefs Kingdom, however, had this play to cling their hopes to.
Tyreek Hill is basically uncoverable at any range of the field, but this deep pass was a thing of beauty. Defenders were closing all around Mahomes, he throws the ball before Hill had broke away from the three defenders in coverage. There’s enough air underneath it for Hill to run under and catch it without having to slow down.
The 2019 preseason can’t get here soon enough, because we certainly need a few more of these beautiful plays from Mahomes, even if he’s only see’s the field for limited amounts of time.
Go back…
