Comparing Patrick Mahomes’ extension with other long-term NFL contracts
By Drew Brooks
Here’s how Patrick Mahomes’s extension compares to other record-setting NFL deals.
On Monday, the Kansas City Chiefs signed quarterback Patrick Mahomes to a 10-year extension, giving him not only the biggest contract in NFL history, but the biggest contract in sports history. Per NFL reporter Ian Rapoport, Mahomes’ deal is worth up to $503 million and includes $477 million in guarantee mechanisms. The deal also includes an injury guarantee of $140 million.
Mahomes still has two years left on his current contract, meaning the quarterback will be in K.C. through the 2031 season. The 24-year old is coming off his third season with the Chiefs and already has an incredible resumé with the NFL MVP award, a Super Bowl win, and a Super Bowl MVP already under his belt.
Mahomes is clearly the NFL’s most impressive player, and the Chiefs have given him a deal to reflect that. After sitting out all but one game his first year, Mahomes turned heads in his debut season as a starter. He led the Chiefs to a 12-4 record while throwing for a franchise record 5,097 yards and 50 touchdowns on his way to the NFL MVP award and a first-team All-Pro selection.
This past season, many expected Mahomes to go through a sophomore slump. While he did regress, statistically speaking, he still managed to throw for 4,031 yards and 26 touchdowns despite missing two regular season games due to a knee injury he suffered during the season. While Mahomes didn’t win the NFL MVP award, he did something even better: he brought the Lombardi trophy to Kansas City for the first time in 50 years and was named Super Bowl MVP.
It’s clear why the Chiefs inked Mahomes to such a big deal and Mahomes made it clear why he agreed to it, tweeting this video on Monday shortly after he was signed:
Mahomes isn’t the only legendary talent to be signed to a record-setting deal. Let’s take a look at other NFL deals that shocked the sports world in the past and see how they turned out.