Getty Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is the latest QB to leapfrog Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes in pay, getting a five-year, $262.5 million extension from the Chargers, which includes $193.7 million in total guarantees, according to Over the Cap.
Despite quickly falling down the rankings in terms of highest-paid QBs in the NFL this offseason, Mahomes is still taking a team-first approach to his contract demands.
“I’ve looked at Tom’s [Brady] model and how he did it. That’s it — you want to make money for yourself and for your family. You want to keep pushing the market forward for other quarterbacks. You don’t want to be someone that they [use against other players].” Mahomes told Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer in an article published on July 31. “But at the same time, I want [my teammates] to get paid. I want Chris Jones to be in training camp. I want Travis Kelce to always be making money. I want everybody on the team here.”
Mahomes, 27, reiterated that he wants to make sure there’s enough money to go around.
“I have a great offensive line. It’s everything around me. It’s all about having open conversation with [GM] Brett Veach, Coach Reid, [owner] Clark Hunt, and just knowing where that happy medium is. That will be out there throughout my entire career,” Mahomes said, according to Breer. “To me, it’s not always about being the highest-paid. It’s about making enough money for me and my family, and keep moving the game forward for everybody.”
Brady’s approach was a reason the New England Patriots remained contenders for nearly two decades. The Chiefs could be on the same trajectory if Mahomes continues to follow “Tom’s model.”
Where Patrick Mahomes Stands Among QB Contracts
According to Over the Cap, Patrick Mahomes is currently eighth among all NFL QBs in terms of total contract guarantees ($141 million).
Ahead of him, in order, are the Cleveland Browns’ Deshaun Watson ($230 million), Herbert, the Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson ($181 million), the Denver Broncos’ Russell Wilson ($165 million), the Arizona Cardinals’ Kyler Murray ($160 million) and Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen ($150 million).
The Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow also could receive a massive new contract this summer, and it will likely include more guarantees than Mahomes’ deal, thus bumping Mahomes’ contract down to a borderline top-10 QB contract in the NFL. That’s an incredible value for the Chiefs, as Mahomes is coming off one of the best statistical seasons of his career and was the league and Super Bowl MVP last season.
Chiefs Preseason Schedule
The defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs open their preseason schedule with an away game against the New Orleans Saints on August 13. Kickoff for that game will take place at noon Central time.
In Week 2 of the preseason, Kansas City is on the road again, this time traveling to Arizona to face the Cardinals. That game will be played on Saturday, August 19 at 7 p.m. Central time.
The Chiefs will play on GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium for their preseason finale and will face the Browns. That game will take place on Saturday, August 26 at noon Central time.