Patrick Mahomes’ Contract Seems Like A Bargain After Jalen Hurts’ Extension

All of the sudden, the mammoth contract of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes doesn’t seem so exorbitant.

After the Philadelphia Eagles signed their quarterback, Jalen Hurts, to a five-year, $255 million extension, including $179.304 million guaranteed, he now owns the biggest contract in terms of average annual value in NFL history.

Mahomes now ranks sixth in the NFL in average salary at $45 million — behind Hurts, Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Kyler Murray and Deshaun Watson — and seventh in guaranteed money at $141.5 million — behind Watson, Hurts, Wilson, Murray, Rodgers and Josh Allen.

“One crazy thing in this business,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said, “right when you sign a big deal, somebody’s going to beat you.”

Mahomes still owns the greatest contract value ($450 million) and duration (10 years). And he likely will receive a significant raise before his contract expires after the 2031 season.

Mahomes is more than deserving, having won two regular-season MVPs, two Super Bowl MVPs and two Super Bowl titles before he turned 28.

To his credit, Mahomes could’ve signed a shorter deal, forcing the Chiefs to re-sign him at a higher rate, but the long-term deal not only gave him financial security, but it also allowed the Chiefs flexibility because they could spread his money out — backload it, frontload it, convert it into bonuses — when needed.

“You can start chasing that (money) and kind of forget about your job at hand,” Reid said. “But Pat’s got a great feel for all that stuff, and the main thing he wanted to do, which my hat just goes off to him, is he wanted to do a deal that was team-friendly.”

Hurts’ salary now has topped Mahomes in average annual value and guaranteed money, but Mahomes bested Hurts in Super Bowl LVII.

The Chiefs won despite a spectacular performance by Hurts, who completed 27-of-38 passes for 304 yards, rushed for 70 yards and recorded four touchdowns.

“He played a great game in the Super Bowl,” Mahomes said, “and proved a lot of people wrong that were still doubting him.”

Mahomes spoke from Texas, where he is training with his receivers for the second straight offseason.

It’s not only an opportunity for the Chiefs players to further master the offense and get in sync with Mahomes, but also for his receivers, who are staying at a lake house, to build chemistry and have some fun.

“I have a good feel for how much to push those guys so that they can get the routes in that they need,” Mahomes said, “but not too much.”

The offseason works shows Mahomes’ value goes beyond his transcendent arm talent; he’s a motivator, a coach and leader as well.

And he looks out for his quarterback fraternity. When asked about Hurts’ contract, he seemed excited — not resentful that his financial markers had been passed.

“First off, congrats to him. He deserves it. I think he’s someone who plays the position the right way, he goes about his business the right way, and that’s why they were in the Super Bowl,” Mahomes said. “Our job in this league is to go out there and win football games and make money while we do it, and I’m glad to see that the guys that are doing it the right way are getting the job security that they deserve.”