There are so many words you can use to describe Patrick Mahomes . The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback is a generational talent, a signal-caller with the heart of a champion, a player capable of making incredible throws and plays off-script and out of structure. But is he also…underpaid?
The question has come up again as the Chiefs continue training camp, preparing for a campaign in which they could become the first team in NFL history to win the Super Bowl in three consecutive seasons. Mahomes is likely to spend the rest of his career in Kansas City, where he has become a living legend and is raising a family with his wife Brittany — so is he being paid his immense worth to the franchise, and to the NFL?
Mahomes gives a two-word response
In light of recent contract extensions for quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence, Jordan Love, Tua Tagovailoa — a trio of QBs with a combined one playoff win — Mahomes’ contract with the Chiefs has come under scrutiny for being below market value.
The total value of Mahomes’ contract is $450 million, greater than any single player in NFL history, but he now ranks 11th among quarterbacks with an annual salary of $45 million — still gaudy, but some would argue it is not befitting a three-time Super Bowl champion and a two-time MVP.
But Mahomes does “not necessarily” feel he is being shafted, or that he isn’t being paid what he is worth.
“I know every time a contract comes up, everybody looks at my (salary per year) and everything like that,” Mahomes told USA Today. “I’m doing pretty well myself. For me, it’s just about going out there trying to win football games, trying to make money for my family at the end of the day. I feel like I’m doing a great job of that.”
There is no greater winner than Mahomes currently in the NFL, who is one of only four active starters to have won a Super Bowl. If he wins it again this coming season, there will be further calls for the Chiefs to restructure his contract — but given his already-hefty salary and a heap of endorsement deals, Mahomes seems like he’s doing just fine, and he continues to emphasize winning over everything.
