Let’s consider this scenario. You’re coming off a Super Bowl victory after just your second season as starting quarterback in the NFL . You’re arguably the top player at your position in the league and yet to turn 25 years old. What is your next step? Naturally, you sign a contract extension that could pocket you over $500 million dollars for the next ten seasons. That’s exactly what Patrick Mahomes did on Monday, keeping the star quarterback in Kansas City through the 2031 season.
The 10-year contract extension guarantees Mahomes the lucrative sum of $450 million that includes a no-trade clause an $140 million injury guarantee. Back in April, the Chiefs picked up the fifth-year option on Mahomes for next year, and will get over $80 million in signing bonuses over the three year period from 2021 through 2023.
As if the contract isn’t lucrative enough, Mahomes can also earn up for $25 million more for winning league MVP and AFC title game. The current contract surpasses Mike Trout of MLB’s Los Angeles Angles for highest paid athlete.
In the Chiefs’ 31-20 victory over the 49ers in last season’s Super Bowl, Mahomes earned MVP honors becoming the first quarterback ever to hold the title of league MVP and Super Bowl MVP prior to the age of 25. The scary thing for the rest of the league is that Mahomes, who was drafted 10th overall in 2017, is still young and his best years could be in front of him. That’s hard to fathom considering he posted a 50 touchdown, 5000-plus yard season in 2018 and already has 76 regular season touchdown passes and nearly 9500 yards in his career.
The contract extension for Mahomes makes him the fourth quarterback over the last nine year to get a contract extension before four years experience in the league. He joins Ryan Tannehill, Carson Wentz, and Jared Goff. With his leadership skills, poise and exquisite athletic ability, the Chiefs should be Super Bowl contenders for years to come.