Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes denied using loopholes in the NFL rules during his long run against the San Francisco 49ers last Sunday.
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The 33-yard scramble by Mahomes against the 49ers led to much criticism following the Week 7 matchup. Mahomes spent much of his run on the sideline, which kept San Francisco defenders at bay. Dee Winters, 49ers linebacker, was hesitant to tackle Mahomes since a flag could be thrown for a late hit on the Kansas City signal-caller.
As Mahomes slowed down, Winters didn’t go for the tackle to avoid a penalty. Mahomes then proceeded to juke out the 49ers linebacker for an additional 26 yards. Mahomes’ lengthy dash set up Kansas City for a 1-yard score.
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 20: Fred Warner #54 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to tackle Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half at Levi’s Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. Patrick Mahomes denied using any loopholes in the NFL rules against the 49ers last Sunday.
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
“I didn’t believe on that play right there I was really showing like I was going to go out of bounds,” Mahomes said per NFL Insider James Palmer. “I don’t want to ever put a defender in a bad spot. I know that we are all competing. When I go out of bounds, I’m going to go out of bounds, I’m not going to try to fake a guy out by using a loophole in the rules.
“At the time, I was going to cut back and get the first down, and then once I cut back, I was going to do one of those dives for the first down, but I cut back and realized I had a lane to run, so I went down the sideline and then, I literally ran out of bounds on that exact play. When I go out of bounds, I’m going to go out of bounds, and whenever I’m trying to get a first down, I’ll get a first down. I’m not trying to use a loophole or anything in the rules to try to cheat in any way.”
Although the scramble was replay-worthy, it’s made Mahomes the recipient of much criticism for his tactics.
Hall of Famer defensive end Dwight Freeney called out Mahomes on the Up And Adams Show.
“Patrick took advantage of the soft a– rules they have for the quarterbacks,” he said.
Whether Mahomes was intentionally taking advantage of the rules to protect quarterbacks or he wasn’t, it’s not the reason the 49ers or other NFL teams have lost to the Chiefs.
Kansas City remains an undefeated team because they have outplayed and outperformed their opponents in the moments that matter most. Teams around the league have yet to crack the code to beat an unhealthy Chiefs team.
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