KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 19: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs ceebrates after defeating the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 19, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs defeated the Titans 35-24. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
The Kansas City Chiefs are going to pay Patrick Mahomes a record-setting amount.
Patrick Mahomes could sign for $75 million per year, and he’d still be worth it.
This is a bit of hyperbole (maybe), but the point is made. Mahomes is an otherworldly talent, something proven out by an NFL MVP, Super Bowl MVP and Lombardi Trophy before turning 25 years old.
Yes, general manager Brett Veach will lose the ability to spend lavishly when Mahomes signs his expected extension this year. Gone will be the days of inking Anthony Hitchens (five years, $45 million), Sammy Watkins (three years, $48 million) and Tyrann Mathieu (three years, $42 million) in the opening hours of free agency.
Kansas City will largely nee to build through the draft once Mahomes is paid $40 million (or more) per season. Yet, this may not be the problem it seemed to be.
Why the Kansas City Chiefs won’t be hurt by Patrick Mahomes’ next contract
Mahomes is the NFL’s most valuable player. He’s entering his prime, he’s a generational talent and he plays the sport’s most important position by a wide margin. The former Texas Tech star has every quality a team could want in its quarterback, ranging from leadership and poise to mobility, size, strength, accuracy and a rocket arm.
Paying Mahomes isn’t a burden for the Chiefs, it’s an incredible privilege.
Kansas City is already locked in to many of their stars for years to come. Travis Kelce, Mitchell Schwartz, Eric Fisher and Mathieu are all signed for two more seasons. Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman, Juan Thornhill and Hitchens are under contract for three more. Frank Clark has four years remaining on his $105 million pact.
The only pressing matters for Veach is Mahomes’ extension and signing Chris Jones to a long-term deal before the tag becomes concrete on July 15.
Luckily for Kansas City, it has the benefit of future cap space and great timing.
According to Over The Cap, the Chiefs have the eighth-most money available in 2022. This is when Mahomes’ extension could really ramp up, considering his rookie deal runs through 2021 — including his fifth-year option.
Additionally, as first reported by FanSided, the salary cap is expected to soar next offseason due to the new Collective Bargaining Agreement and an influx in television revenue. While the pandemic and other factors play a role in the exact numbers (it’s figured based on league revenues), multiple sources indicted it could reach $240 million, and by decade’s end, be $400 million.
Looking at those figures, it’s easy to understand why signing Mahomes to a massive cap charge doesn’t crush Kansas City’s ability to invest in both its quarterback and its other stars. In a few years, Veach may well be able to sign a few free agents as well, should he choose.
Paying Mahomes will require a huge check … one the Chiefs will gladly sign.