Every magician has a bag of tricks, but Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes performed his own magic act against Tampa Bay.
In the second quarter of the Chiefs’ 41-31 win against the Buccaneers on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium, Mahomes rolled right, and when near the sideline, he did a 360-degree spin past a linebacker. And when two more Buccaneer defenders came bearing down on him, Mahomes floated a pass into the back of the end zone to Clyde Edwards-Helaire for a touchdown that left everyone in awe, including Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
“The NFL hasn’t seen anything like Pat Mahomes,” Kelce said. “I promise you that, and you saw it today. He’s the Houdini of our era. The guy just finds ways to make plays throughout the game. I mean, big-time third downs, big-time goal-line plays and just willing our team into the end zone and willing our team to win, and that’s our ultimate leader.”
Mahomes, however, said he doesn’t try to be flashy. It just sort of happens.
“Travis always has the great nicknames,” Mahomes said. “I just try to win. At the end of the day, that’s what I try to do. It’s not like I’m planning these things where I’m throwing sidearm or whatever it is, spinning, running around.
“I always say I’m a competitor. I’m going to find whatever way I can do to make our team have success. Today was a spin and a little — I don’t know, a basketball shot — that ended up a touchdown.”
Mahomes completed 23 of 37 passes for 249 yards and three touchdowns with one interception, leading the Chiefs (3-1) to a bounce-back win after losing to the Colts the week before. There also was added motivation for Mahomes and the Chiefs after losing to the Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV.
And Chiefs coach Andy Reid, who has witnessed every one of Mahomes’ many magic acts over the years, couldn’t help but gush about his quarterback’s latest show, which was worthy of another standing ovation.
“He’s had a lot of phenomenal plays,” Reid said. “And I always remind the coaches don’t take it for granted. Those things, that’s special. So you enjoy every one of those, every one of them. You just don’t see that very often.”
