Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has seen his annual pay slip to seventh among the NFL’s quarterbacks since signing the richest contract in NFL history back in 2020. Despite this, Mahomes has indicated that he is not concerned about the development. Speaking after the Chiefs’ first week of offseason practice, Mahomes stated that his focus is on legacy and winning rings over making money at this moment. He added that he would never do anything that could hurt the team from keeping great players around him.
Mahomes’ Contract and Pay Status
Mahomes signed a 10-year extension worth $450 million in 2020, and he became the NFL’s highest-paid player then. No player has since topped that contract in terms of total value, but six other quarterbacks, including Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson, have passed Mahomes in average pay. This summer, Mahomes could fall further down the salary list if Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert sign lucrative extensions.
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has already stated that the team would look at sweetening Mahomes’ contract, although he did not give a timeline for this. Mahomes’ current deal runs through 2031. Mahomes acknowledged that he wants to keep the bar pushing higher and that he wants to do whatever he can not to hurt other quarterbacks financially.
Mahomes Prioritizes Winning over Making a Ton of Money
Mahomes has made it clear that it is not about being the highest-paid player and making a ton of money. He has already earned enough to be set for the rest of his life. Instead, it is about finding that line where he is making a good amount of money while keeping great players around him to win Super Bowls and compete in games.
Finding the Right Balance between Money and Keeping Great Players Around
Mahomes admits that finding the right balance between making a good amount of money and keeping great players around is difficult. He believes that the greats in the league have found that right spot where they are getting paid a lot of money but still keeping great players around. Mahomes understands the importance of keeping players like Chris Jones, L’Jarius Sneed, and Travis Kelce around to have a great team. However, he also wants to ensure that he is taking care of himself.
Patrick Mahomes prioritizes legacy and winning over making money. While his annual pay has slipped down the salary list, he is not troubled by it and is focused on finding the right balance between making a good amount of money and keeping great players around him to win Super Bowls and compete in games.
Leave a Reply