Kansas City secures its half-billion-dollar superstar with a record-shattering extension as the rehabilitating quarterback races to return for a high-stakes season opener despite lingering injury concerns.
There is some question about how quickly Texas Tech icon and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes will be making his way back to the field this year after a torn ACL that ended his 2025 season early.
But there is no question about the Chiefs' commitment to Mahomes, as was just established at the negotiating table.
The Chiefs are locking up Mahomes through the 2033 season via the most lucrative deal in NFL history.
The Chiefs are adding two years and $239.05 million to Mahomes' contract, with the extension bringing Mahomes' total contract value to a record $504.75 million.
That makes Mahomes the first player in NFL history signed to a deal worth more than half-a-billion dollars.
Additionally, at $64 million per year (once the new money kicks in in 2027), Mahomes will leapfrog over Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott to become the highest-paid player in NFL history.
Mahomes, meanwhile, is ticking off the boxes in his recovery process as the Week 1 clash against the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football looms large for the Super Bowl winner. ...
And if he plays? According to one expert, Mahomes won't be 100 percent healthy for that opener.
“There is no way for him to be 100-percent healthy for the start of next season,” "Pro Football Doc'' Dr. David Chao says. “No one is doubting him. But the fact is, when you tear the LCL and ACL, have the LCL repaired and the ACL reconstructed, this is a much higher bar than a simple ACL reconstruction.
"Can he play from the pocket? Sure. But it might be 2027 before Patrick Mahomes is fully mobile like he was before.”
As the Doc surely knows, doubting Mahomes is often a losing proposition.
The Chiefs will of course exercise caution here; that was always going to be the plan.
And now that he's a .... Million Man?
Along with all the good signs and the good vibes, caution on Mahomes does indeed seem like a smart move.
