What Patrick Mahomes’ cadence means and why Kansas City Chiefs star says ‘Blue 80’ before snaps

Patrick Mahomes is carving out a Hall of Fame career before our very eyes. The Kansas City Chiefs star’s legacy grows by the game and now he stands on the verge of yet another Super Bowl ring – which would be a historic three-peat. Mahomes successfully navigated the playoffs once againGetty The iconic quarterback, who has already been named in talkSPORT’s top ten list of best-ever QBs, will face off against the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday. Throughout the game, fans might notice Mahomes yelling before the snap – here’s what it all means. Why does Patrick Mahomes say ‘White 80’ and ‘Blue 80’? What the quarterback yells before the snap is known as the cadence and it’s incredibly important for a quarterback to orchestrate a team’s offense. The cadence is usually made up of a series of phrases or familiar set of words that let the offense know what play to run while also trying to catch defenses off guard. Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott’s “Here we go!” cadence became a particular talking point last season. One of the most common cadences heard from QBs – and one Mahomes may use in Sunday’s clash with the Eagles – is ‘White 80’. Essentially, ‘White 80’ means ‘get ready to go’. Mahomes will shout the phrase to tell his center when to snap the ball and to let the offense know he is ready to start the game. It helps everyone get in the correct position and lets the offense know that the signal-caller is happy with any late changes to the line of scrimmage or play call. Another common snap cadence Mahomes has been known to use is ‘Blue 80’. ‘White 80’ and ‘Blue 80’ are just two of the cadences Mahomes has been known to useGetty Cadences are a crucial part of running a successful offenseGetty ‘Blue 80’ is usually a signal to notify teammates that the QB is about to attempt a deep pass. This is particularly relevant for wide receivers who can ready themselves for whatever route they’re about to run. It’s often used on big plays, Hail Marys and game-winning drives when a long throw is needed for extensive yardage. Timing is everything in gridiron football and a perfectly timed snap cadence like ‘Blue 80’ can make all the difference in a wideout making a catch or not. Some players may even throw in numbers – e.g. “blue 32, blue 32 set hit” – which refers to the coverage, in this case, coverage 2. However, quarterback’s snap cadences not only change from game to game, but within games too. “Banana,” “squash,” “Go Blue,” “Rolex,” “Awww Eddie!” and “can can” are other common Mahomes cadencesGetty This is done to confuse the opposition who otherwise might work out what the cadences mean and be able to counter. ‘White 80’ and ‘Blue 80’ are just two examples of snap cadences, but there are countless other quirky phrases that a quarterback might use ahead of a play. ‘Banana,’ ‘squash,’ ‘Go Blue,’ ‘Rolex,’ ‘Awww Eddie!’ and ‘can can’ are just some of the pre-snap cadences fans think they’ve heard Mahomes say over the years. These could mean any number of things and are purposefully cryptic so rival teams can’t work them out. Other times quarterbacks might just scrap the cadences altogether and point to their helmet to signal that they intend to change the original play. There really is no rhyme or reason to cadences for those on the outside, but as long as the QB and his offensive unit are on the same page, that’s all that matters. Super Bowl LIX: talkSPORT coverage talkSPORT will live coverage of the Super Bowl from New Orleans. Will Gavin will be your play-by-play commentator, with NFL expert Gregg Rosenthal providing analysis. Our build-up will start at 10:30pm UK time, and there will also be a watch-a-long on the talkSPORT End Zone YouTube channel. There will also be a swathe of exclusive interviews in the week leading up to the Super Bowl, and talkSPORT.com will also have build-up and all the reaction. To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM. Read More on Super Bowl LIX Follow LIVE build-up to Super Bowl LIX here ‘Global intention’ – NFL commissioner stuns fans with announcement new team based outside of United States ‘I’m out there with him’ – Travis Kelce told brother Jason he will quit NFL if Chiefs coach Andy Reid decides to retire ‘Stupidest thing I’ve done’ – Die-hard Eagles fan Kevin Hart was rejected by security trying to drunkenly storm Super Bowl stage Patrick Mahomes vs Tom Brady after first seven years as a starter reveals there’s only one winner in quarterback debate Who is performing the Super Bowl halftime show and who will be singing the National Anthem? How to follow Super Bowl 2025 – TV channel, live streaming and talkSPORT coverage for NFL

Feb 5, 2025 - 17:39

What Patrick Mahomes’ cadence means and why Kansas City Chiefs star says ‘Blue 80’ before snaps

Patrick Mahomes is carving out a Hall of Fame career before our very eyes.

The Kansas City Chiefs star’s legacy grows by the game and now he stands on the verge of yet another Super Bowl ring – which would be a historic three-peat.

Mahomes successfully navigated the playoffs once again

The iconic quarterback, who has already been named in talkSPORT’s top ten list of best-ever QBs, will face off against the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday.

Throughout the game, fans might notice Mahomes yelling before the snap – here’s what it all means.

Why does Patrick Mahomes say ‘White 80’ and ‘Blue 80’?

What the quarterback yells before the snap is known as the cadence and it’s incredibly important for a quarterback to orchestrate a team’s offense.

The cadence is usually made up of a series of phrases or familiar set of words that let the offense know what play to run while also trying to catch defenses off guard.

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott’s “Here we go!” cadence became a particular talking point last season.

One of the most common cadences heard from QBs – and one Mahomes may use in Sunday’s clash with the Eagles – is ‘White 80’.

Essentially, ‘White 80’ means ‘get ready to go’.

Mahomes will shout the phrase to tell his center when to snap the ball and to let the offense know he is ready to start the game.

It helps everyone get in the correct position and lets the offense know that the signal-caller is happy with any late changes to the line of scrimmage or play call.

Another common snap cadence Mahomes has been known to use is ‘Blue 80’.

Jan 13, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) before taking the snap against the Miami Dolphins during the second half of the 2024 AFC wild card game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports — ‘White 80’ and ‘Blue 80’ are just two of the cadences Mahomes has been known to use

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes looks down the line of scrimmage during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) — Cadences are a crucial part of running a successful offense

‘Blue 80’ is usually a signal to notify teammates that the QB is about to attempt a deep pass.

This is particularly relevant for wide receivers who can ready themselves for whatever route they’re about to run.

It’s often used on big plays, Hail Marys and game-winning drives when a long throw is needed for extensive yardage.

Timing is everything in gridiron football and a perfectly timed snap cadence like ‘Blue 80’ can make all the difference in a wideout making a catch or not.

Some players may even throw in numbers – e.g. “blue 32, blue 32 set hit” – which refers to the coverage, in this case, coverage 2.

However, quarterback’s snap cadences not only change from game to game, but within games too.

“Banana,” “squash,” “Go Blue,” “Rolex,” “Awww Eddie!” and “can can” are other common Mahomes cadences

This is done to confuse the opposition who otherwise might work out what the cadences mean and be able to counter.

‘White 80’ and ‘Blue 80’ are just two examples of snap cadences, but there are countless other quirky phrases that a quarterback might use ahead of a play.

‘Banana,’ ‘squash,’ ‘Go Blue,’ ‘Rolex,’ ‘Awww Eddie!’ and ‘can can’ are just some of the pre-snap cadences fans think they’ve heard Mahomes say over the years.

These could mean any number of things and are purposefully cryptic so rival teams can’t work them out.

Other times quarterbacks might just scrap the cadences altogether and point to their helmet to signal that they intend to change the original play.

There really is no rhyme or reason to cadences for those on the outside, but as long as the QB and his offensive unit are on the same page, that’s all that matters.

Super Bowl LIX: talkSPORT coverage

talkSPORT will live coverage of the Super Bowl from New Orleans.

Will Gavin will be your play-by-play commentator, with NFL expert Gregg Rosenthal providing analysis.

Our build-up will start at 10:30pm UK time, and there will also be a watch-a-long on the talkSPORT End Zone YouTube channel.

There will also be a swathe of exclusive interviews in the week leading up to the Super Bowl, and talkSPORT.com will also have build-up and all the reaction.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.