Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes' explanation of iconic preseason play makes it infinitely better

Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes finally completed a behind-the-back pass in an actual game , but what makes this play special is the fact that it was entirely unplanned.

Even though Mahomes has been practicing the behind-the-back pass since 2020, and completed it in 11-on-11 team drills at training camp just last week, this wasn't a play that was dialed up by Chiefs HC Andy Reid. Mahomes revealed during an in-game interview with Trent Green and Ari Wolfe that this play was completely improvised and that Travis Kelce actually ran the wrong route on the play.

Check it out:

"Long story short: Travis (Kelce) didn't run the route he was supposed to run, and then it was kind of a behind-the-back pass kinda 'cause I was mad, I was pissed off at Travis. He was supposed to run a flat route — I don't know if you could hear me on the broadcast, I'm yelling at him — and then he doesn't do it. So, out of spite, I threw a behind-the-back pass, but now it's going to be a highlight."

"100 percent. That's what I've been trying to say to everybody. It can't be planned. It's got to be just naturally happening, kind of in the groove of things. I actually forgot about it until halftime; someone actually brought it up to me. It wasn't like I planned it all, it wasn't a called play. It just kind of happened."

"We had a kind-of RPO-type trying going and he was the guy I was supposed to throw it to, and then I stuck with the football in my hand, and I was like, 'Gosh darn it, Travis.' Then I threw it behind my back, and it worked out for us."

Chiefs TE Travis Kelce takes exception to Mahomes' explanation

Of course, Chiefs team reporter Matt McMullen had to get to the bottom of this for Trent Green and Ari Wolfe. Kelce told McMullen that he couldn't hear the play call from Mahomes because of his raspy voice.

"It wasn't a play? No, it was a play. It was a first down. You know he's got the voice thing. *inaudible noises* He kind of mumbled out the play, I couldn't hear it and I was walking up to the line trying to decipher what he was saying. Before I knew it he snapped the ball and I kind of saw him running to the sideline out of my peripheral, so I was trying to help my guy out. By the time I looked over there, he was already mid-form like a photo on a sports card throwing the ball to me. So, I guess I was at the right place at the right time."

Planned or unplanned, this play is going to down in NFL preseason infamy.

Related: Chiefs TE Noah Gray is playing a position he hasn't often played due to an untimely injury