Chiefs fans were so confused when Mecole Hardman didn’t even attempt to catch a perfect Patrick Mahomes pass

Can’t drop the pass if you simply *ignore* the pass.

Throughout the regular season, dropped passes stifled the Chiefs offense and, at times, directly contributed to losses. It was why the defending Super Bowl champs looked extra vulnerable heading into the playoffs despite winning the AFC West title.

During Saturday’s win against the Dolphins at a frigid Arrowhead Stadium, the Chiefs still had several dropped passes. But wide receiver Mecole Hardman found a different way to waste big-play opportunities without actually dropping the ball.

He simply opted against even making an effort to catch well-placed passes from Patrick Mahomes. Can’t drop a pass if you pretend that pass doesn’t exist.

During the third quarter, Hardman let a perfect throw from Mahomes fall incomplete. It appeared that all Hardman had to do was reach forward to haul in the pass, but he oddly watched the ball fall to the ground without trying to catch it.

Earlier in the game, Hardman gave up on a play to complain about a missed defensive holding call. And while Hardman was right to be upset, he could have still had a chance at the pass if he continued to play through the contact rather than turn to the official.

That first play had fans especially confused, though. Why wouldn’t Hardman try to catch that pass?