Patrick Mahomes Could Become the NFL’s Highest-Paid Athlete in 2020
Patrick Mahomes will be leading Kansas City's offense this weekend in Super Bowl LIV
Despite his career performance thus far, Mahomes has one of the lowest salaries of starting quarterbacks
That might change in 2020, though, if the Chief's offer him an early contract extension
In 2019, Patrick Mahomes, then a third-year quarterback (second-year starter) for the Kansas City Chiefs was paid a modest 4.5 million. The number might feel especially low, considering Mahomes helped lead his team Super Bowl this season. (The team’s last appearance was in 1970.)
Mahomes was also the league’s MVP last season, becoming only the third player to throw for 50 touchdowns or more in a single season. (Peyton Manning holds the record with 55; Mahomes ties Tom Brady with 50 even.)
The 24-year-old phenom is now entering the fourth year of his rookie contract. The question now is whether the Chiefs will offer Mahomes a new contract in 2020 or pay him the $5.2 million in his original—a number that actually makes Mahomes one of the lowest-paid starting quarterbacks in the league.
Mahomes’s new contract, however, could be as much as $200 million over 4 years. If that’s the case, Mahomes will not just be the highest-paid quarterback, but potentially the highest paid NFL player. Period.
Russell Wilson currently holds that title. Last year, he signed a 4-year, $140 million contract extension. (He’s probably worth every penny to the Seahawks, by the way, considering how he carries his team through entire quarters.)
Some have noted that maintaining a modest salary for Mahomes will allow the Chiefs to spend more money extending contracts for current players.
But if Mahomes stays healthy—and if he finishes this season with a Super Bowl victory—the Chiefs would be smart to keep him happy. Happy like $40 million a year.
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