Patrick Mahomes could perform a very unorthodox role against the Chargers this weekend

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Patrick Mahomes could fill in as the team’s punter this weekend against the LA Chargers. Although surprising, it wouldn’t be the first time the QB has tried his hand at kicking.

There’s very little Patrick Mahomes can’t do on a football field. He has been a revelation since taking over as QB1 for the Chiefs in 2018, delivering two Super Bowls and a bunch of individuals awards including two Super Bowl MVPs and two NFL MVP awards.

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Patrick Mahomes could perform a very unorthodox role against the Chargers

Mahomes is such a weapon for Andy Reid, that the KC head coach could use the quarterback as the team’s punter against the Chargers this weekend.

Chiefs special teams coach Dave Toub told reporters on Wednesday that the two-time NFL MVP serves as their backup punter. Mahomes could have filled in last week against the Broncos when regular punter Tommy Townsend sustained a knee injury.

“[Mahomes] is our backup punter,” Toub said. “He could do it. He shows me all the time he’s out there [at practice]. Boom. That guy, it’s unbelievable.”

Mahomes himself even seemed to confirm the news:

Chiefs star does have experience as a punter

Townsend played through the injury against the Broncos, punting three times for a 48-yard average, so Mahomes wasn’t needed. However, Townsend is listed on this week’s injury report, although he’s been a full practice participant in each of the past two days.

It’s expected he’ll be fine to suit up against the Chargers this weekend.

Still, former Houston defensive end JJ Watt, like presumably many others, is intrigued to see what Mahomes’ kicking game is like.

He responded to the quarterback’s tweet: ‘we got 6,000 videos of you throwing no-look darts and 70-yarders in pregame, yet not one single punt on film?!’

Mahomes replied, ‘Waiting for the right moment! Patience is key’ followed by two laughing emojis.

The thing is, Mahomes does have experience as a punter. He played multiple roles in high school and was occasionally Whitehouse High’s punter, boasting a 37.8-yard average on 29 kicks. He also averaged 38.7 yards per punt on 27 attempts as a senior in 2013-14, although that’s still a way off Townsend who averages 50.4 yards this season.

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Kansas has been forced to use emergency punters in the past

However, given his history with his patella it seems unlikely Reid would want to risk any unnecessary strain on Mahomes’ legs.

Having said that, it wouldn’t be the first time Kansas got creative on special teams. Last season against the Cardinals, starting kicker Harrison Butker was carted off the field with an ankle injury.

Safety-turned-emergency kicker Justin Reid stepped in admirably and made 1 of 2 extra-point attempts in the first half before Butker returned.