The Kansas City Chiefs backup punter is none other than QB Patrick Mahomes
The Kansas City Chiefs don't punt very often, but should the need ever arise, Tommy Townsend is their man for the job. Prior to last week's Thursday Night matchup against the Denver Broncos, Townsend hyperextended his knee. The Chiefs were not sure he'd be ready in time for their game. Luckily, the Chiefs have a secret punting weapon ready in case Townsend goes down. It's Patrick Mahomes.
"15's our backup punter," Chiefs special teams coordinate Dave Toub said. "He can do it."
15 is Mahomes' number, for those unaware. and Toub said Mahomes struts his punting prowess in practice "all the time."
Could we see Mahomes punt in a game?
If Townsend ever gets hurt, absolutely.
Even if Townsend never gets hurt, the odds of Mahomes punting at least once in his career is relatively high. The "pooch punt" is a play in football where a quarterback, or any non-punter, tries to catch the opposing defense off-guard by punting the ball.
The Chiefs have actually run a pooch punt play rather recently. On November 21, 2021, with just 2:52 left in a game against the Dallas Cowboys, the Chiefs were leading 19-9. They lined up for a 52-yard field goal attempt, but instead of kicking the field goal, the snap went directly to kicker Harrison Butker, who proceeded to pin the Cowboys deep in their own zone. Instead of risking a missed field goal or block, the Chiefs caught the Cowboys off-guard and earned great defensive field positoin. The Chiefs won that game by the way.
Although the popularity of the pooch punt has died down recently, there's always a chance any team pulls one out, so why not the team that seems confident in their quarterback's ability to punt? With someone as talented as Mahomes under center, the Chiefs could absolutely pull off the play. The opposing defense would have to respect Mahomes' ability to complete a pass, then the Chiefs could pull the rug out from under their opponents' feet by having him punt the ball and down it inside their 10-yard line.
What other quarterbacks have punted in their careers?
We've all heard of Sammy Baugh, but lots of great quarterbacks have punted at least once in their careers.
Steelers' great Ben Roethlisberger actually punted six times in his career, even once as recently 2018. He didn't average 40-plus yards like a legitimate punter but did have three punts over 30 yards.
Tom Brady punted twice in his career, once in 2003 and once in 2013. He recorded more than 30 yards on both punts.
Of course, this is different than having Mahomes perform a normal punt, which sounds like it could be a possibility by the confidence in Toub's voice.
Perhaps we'll see Mahomes show off his leg on Sunday. The Chiefs take on the Chargers at 4:25 p.m. ET this weekend. You can catch the game on CBS. You can also stream the game on Fubo TV.
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