Andy Reid Confesses Mecole Hardman Was Intended as Decoy on Chiefs' Super Bowl-Winning Play

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Andy Reid’s offensive game plan for the Chiefs’ final play of Super Bowl LVIII didn’t anticipate Mecole Hardman emerging as the hero. In an interview with NBC’s Peter King, Reid provided crucial insight into the Chiefs’ initial strategy for the decisive moment.

Kansas City employed the same “corn dog” motion that led to Kadarius Toney’s go-ahead touchdown in last year’s Super Bowl victory against the Eagles. However, Reid anticipated that the San Francisco defense would be prepared for it, having likely studied and planned for such a scenario.

To counter this expectation, Reid and Patrick Mahomes expanded upon the “corn dog” concept, dubbing it “Tom and Jerry” and incorporating a read option. Mahomes was given the flexibility to target either Hardman or Jerrick McKinnon on a shovel pass, or to opt to run the ball himself for the win.

As the play unfolded, the 49ers’ defense converged on the shovel option, leaving Hardman wide open on the edge—an unforeseen opportunity that ultimately secured victory for the Chiefs.

Reflecting on the play, Reid remarked to King, “They’ve seen it, so we thought that would be a good disguise. Pull an extra man out there, and then we can run the shovel. But they converged on the shovel, and Corn Dog worked out.”

Reid gave the 49ers defense some credit, adding that it’s a tough play to defend. If the defense covers the edge, it leaves the shovel pass open. If the defense converges on the shovel pass, the edge is open. It’s really tough to defend.

“You’ve got to kind of pick what you’re gonna work on, what part you’re gonna cover,” Reid added. “I’m not questioning them because they’re too good to question. That group is phenomenal. It just worked out in our favor where we’re able to get the thing.”

Check out the play Reid’s referring to below: