Predicting Patrick Mahomes’ subsequent contract: Will it restrict the Chiefs?

Kansas Metropolis Chiefs celebrity quarterback Patrick Mahomes is due for a large bump in pay.

Though Patrick Mahomes will not be the highest-paid quarterback within the NFL proper now, he needs to be.

The face of the Kansas City Chiefs franchise is the very best and most necessary participant within the sport. Solely six years into his skilled profession out of Texas Tech, Mahomes is already a lock for Canton enshrinement. He has two league MVPs, two Super Bowl MVPs and has hoisted two Lombardi Trophies. Nonetheless, he’s solely making $45 million in average annual salary on his present contract.

Whereas Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio expects Mahomes to be the highest-paid quarterback within the NFL as soon as once more earlier than subsequent season begins, we now have to surprise how it will have an effect on the Chiefs’ plans to construct a perennial contender round him going ahead. Understand that different celebrity AFC quarterbacks comparable to Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert have but to be paid their big-time cash.

Let’s focus on what a brand new Mahomes contract might appear to be and the way it would possibly have an effect on the franchise.

Kansas Metropolis Chiefs rumors: What a brand new Patrick Mahomes contract might appear to be

Florio prompt that tacking on three years to his present take care of the Chiefs that runs by his age-36 season in 2031 might be probably the most logical consequence. Mahomes isn’t enjoying for one more franchise. Even when he by some means does, it will be within the twilight of his prime like Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers, or well past it like Matt Ryan and Philip Rivers did with the Indianapolis Colts.

Chiefs common supervisor Brett Veach is completely proper in letting different quarterbacks receives a commission earlier than Mahomes. There are three causes for this. One, it makes traditionally frugal groups within the AFC just like the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Chargers need to pay up for his or her younger star quarterbacks. It doesn’t matter what they pay, as long as they do, which is able to restrict their assets.

Two, delaying to pay Mahomes prime of the market worth might afford the Chiefs extra capital to go for a uncommon repeat as Tremendous Bowl champions this season. Kansas Metropolis is firmly in its championship window, so the Chiefs group must take full benefit of this. Whereas they need to stay aggressive all through Mahomes’ profession, be mindful Brady went years with out successful titles.

And three, the longer the Chiefs wait, the much less probably they should restructure Mahomes’ contract once more. Okay, I do know that’s wishful pondering, however for no matter motive, I feel Veach and the remainder of the Chiefs’ brass would fairly wait and see what the Bengals and Bolts do about Burrow and Herbert first earlier than agreeing to provide Mahomes much more cash and years far past 2031.

Frankly, I’d anticipate Mahomes eclipses $55 million in common annual wage when he does put pen to paper once more. Frankly, if Cincinnati and Los Angeles are prepared to pay extra for Burrow and Herbert than the Baltimore Ravens had been for Lamar Jackson, how does $57 million a yr sound? Mahomes might have a tasty new take care of Heinz as a part of these contract negotiations…

Finally, paying Mahomes once more lengthy earlier than his deal runs out will damage their plans to discipline a championship-caliber contender round him … in the long run. Nonetheless, with a rising monetary pie, the Chiefs in win-now mode and Mahomes on the peak of his powers, it serves Kansas Metropolis to be all-in on their quarterback. A brand new deal might have star gamers strolling in free company, although.

I’d not shock me if Mahomes finally ends up with greater than $1 billion in web value earlier than he’s 40.