Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes says he has bigger priorities than making money: ‘I’m about legacy and winning rings’

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By Webdesk


Patrick Mahomes says he’s more concerned with winning championships than making money “right now” and sees his legacy as something more important than the number on his contract. The Kansas City Chiefs superstar quarterback signed a 10-year, $450 million extension in 2020 — a record contract at the time.

Since that nearly half-billion dollar contract, signal callers across the league have signed even bigger blockbuster deals with higher average annual values. In the off-season, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts signed a five-year, $255 million ($51 million AAV) contract, making him the highest-paid player in the league. That didn’t last long though, as Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson surpassed him on his five-year, $260 million ($52 million AAV) deal.

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, meanwhile, signed a five-year, $230 million ($46 million AAV) deal last season that is fully guaranteed.

Mahomes currently ranks seventh in average annual net worth among quarterbacks at $45 million per year.

With such big contracts coming out of the league, it begs the question of whether Mahomes should revisit his once groundbreaking contract.

Mahomes said he is currently focused on success on the pitch, with the main goal of more Lombardi trophies.

“Me, my agent and the team always keep open communication and we always try to do what’s best for the team, and of course I want to do what’s best for me too,” said Mahomes. “But I’ve always said that right now I’m more about legacy and winning rings than making money.”

The 27-year-old also pointed out that making more money could mean missing out on players who could help him get more hardware.

“I know we keep communicating. We see what’s going on in the league,” said number 15. “But at the same time, I will never do anything that will harm us by keeping the great players around me. It’s about us teeter on that line.”

The two-time Super Bowl champion has proven to be the best quarterback in the league, and when you’re on top, you often want compensation to match. Mahomes earns less than many of the much less experienced quarterbacks, including the Denver Broncos’ Russell Wilson, the Arizona Cardinals’ Kyler Murray and the Browns’ Watson.

Some of the best quarterbacks in league history have not spent their careers on the highest-paid quarterback list, but have appreciated the extra money the team has to keep other stars instead of renewing their own contracts. This is something Mahomes is already thinking about and he wants to make sure his supporting cast gets the contracts they need.

The market is a delicate balance and could change again when Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow gets his new deal. Mahomes wants to be courteous to the other guys in the league, but doesn’t care about being the highest paid QB.

“Everyone wants to get paid big bucks if they think they’re the best in their field,” Mahomes said. “But if you look at the greats, they find that sweet spot where they make a lot of money, but they keep great players around them.”

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Mahomes won his second Super Bowl and second MVP award last season, becoming the only quarterback in NFL history to win two MVPs and two Super Bowls in the first six years of his career. He is the first player since 1999 to win the league’s MVP, winning it all in the same year. He had a league-high 5,250 yards with 41 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, earning him a fifth Pro Bowl.

Mahomes remains an MVP and Super Bowl favorite even before the 2023 season has begun. As he strives for a third title, winning is on his mind, not the money.





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