Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes recently shared his candid thoughts on the increasing trend of massive NFL contracts during his weekly appearance on “The Drive” on Audacy’s 96.5 The Fan.
With contracts soaring across the league, Mahomes emphasized the importance of using the growing revenue to benefit players.
“It’s all about pushing the game forward,” Mahomes said. “The NFL is bringing in a lot of money, and I want guys all around the league to be able to take care of their families for a long time because they’re playing the same way.”
Mahomes, no stranger to high-paying deals, inked a historic 10-year, $450 million contract with the Chiefs in 2020. Since then, players across various positions have followed suit with massive deals.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, for example, secured a four-year, $240 million deal this past Sunday putting an end to his contract drama in Big D.
It’s not just quarterbacks raking in record-setting paydays.
Star wide receivers such as the Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb and the Minnesota Vikings’ Justin Jefferson, as well as San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Trent Williams, have also landed significant contracts.
As NFL revenues soar, the league’s salary cap continues to rise, allowing teams to offer bigger deals year after year.
The NFL’s salary cap, which took a dip during the COVID pandemic, has rebounded significantly.
In 2020, the cap stood at $198.2 million but dropped to $182.5 million in 2021 due to pandemic-related financial impacts.
However, from 2013 to 2020, the cap grew steadily by around $10.74 million annually. In 2024, the cap has now reached an estimated $255.4 million per team, signaling more spending power for franchises.
As the cap increases, players are wielding more influence in contract negotiations.
Holdouts have become more common as stars wait for lucrative deals, with players like 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and CeeDee Lamb sitting out training camp until they secured the contracts they desired.
Currently, New York Jets pass-rusher Haason Reddick is in a similar situation, holding out for a better deal. Although his situation is different, and it’s unlikely Gang Green will give in to his demands.
The NFL’s immense popularity only adds fuel to the growing paydays. After all, Week 1 saw record ratings across the board as the league miraculously grows more and more popular with every passing second it seems.
Meanwhile, Mahomes is regarded by most to be the best quarterback in the league. It’s only a matter of time before the Chiefs restructure his contract to better reflect his value to the franchise.
Having said that, it would be surprising if the unselfish Mahomes demands to be the highest-paid player in the NFL. Much like Tom Brady, Mahomes knows the less money he takes, the better the team will be.
Don’t get me wrong – it’s not like Mahomes will be settling for the veteran’s minimum or anything, nor should he. However, his focus on winning will be apparent whenever his contract restructuring is complete.
What are your thoughts on Mahomes’ comments?
Do you think players, like Prescott, are smart to fight for every single penny they can get? … Or do you agree with Charles Barkley that it’s “stupid” to do so?
What type of contract do you think Mahomes is truly deserving of???