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The Chiefs exercised their fifth-year choice on QB Patrick Mahomes on April 30.
MVP in 2018. Tremendous Bowl MVP in 2019. Report-setting contract in 2020?
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is on the quick monitor to changing into the NFL’s highest-paid participant getting into solely his third season as a starter. If the Chiefs’ low-key offseason is any indication, the group is making ready to accommodate its star signal-caller sooner reasonably than later. On April 30, Kansas Metropolis exercised its fifth-year choice on the 24-year-old, which retains him below contract by way of the 2021 season, however have been hesitant to place a timeline on when a long-term extension would possibly get achieved.
In January 2019, ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported that Mahomes “might land the NFL’s first $200 million contract” after the 2019 season. The fourth-year professional has solely elevated his standing among the many league’s most proficient and vital gamers since then.
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Cris Collinsworth: ‘No Query’ Mahomes Will Be Highest-Paid
In a video name with 41 Motion Information in Kansas Metropolis on Friday, NBC Sunday Evening Soccer analyst Cris Collinsworth supplied his perspective on simply how costly Mahomes’ mega-deal could be.
“There’s no query he’s going to be the highest-paid participant within the historical past of the league …,” Collinsworth stated of Mahomes. “If it is available in at something lower than $50 million (per yr), I’d be actually stunned.”
To place a possible $50 million wage in perspective, the league’s high common annual wage (AAV) is at present $35 million, held by Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson who signed a brand new four-year, $140 million extension final April. Right here is how the remainder of the top-5 salaries shake out:
- 2. Ben Roethlisberger — $34 million (2 years, $68M)
- 3t. Aaron Rodgers — $33.5 million (four years, $134M)
- 3t. Jared Goff — $33.5 million (four years, $134M)
- 5. Kirk Cousins — $33 million (2 years, $66M)
Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan, who accounts for the eighth-highest AAV amongst quarterbacks, holds the NFL’s most costly total deal at $150 million over 5 seasons (set to run out in 2023).
Wage Cap House a Trigger For Concern?
In response to the NFLPA, the Chiefs have roughly $6.three million in wage cap area to work with heading into the 2020 offseason program and finally the common season, which the Chiefs are scheduled to kick off on Thursday Evening Soccer in opposition to the Houston Texans on September 10.
The defending Tremendous Bowl champions have made just a few strategic strikes to be able to clear cash off the books in current months, corresponding to re-signing WR Sammy Watkins to a brand new one-year deal and releasing long-time P Dustin Colquitt. Nevertheless, basic supervisor Brett Veach and workers nonetheless face just a few key monetary selections that would have an effect on the scale and timing of a brand new deal for his or her famous person quarterback. Essentially the most urgent of which is the way forward for Professional Bowl DT Chris Jones, who is ready to play out the 2020 season below the non-exclusive franchise tag price $16.1 million.
Whereas there’s little doubt that Mahomes can be in a Chiefs uniform for years to return, the franchise could have to stall a bit longer to assist all the items fall into place.
In early April, Tom Pelissero of the NFL Community reported that the contract “in all probability goes to occur after the draft as they see how the roster settles.”
Extra not too long ago on April 27, Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt informed NFL Community’s James Palmer that he’s anticipating a deal to be achieved within the “quick time period,” whereas Veach floated coaching camp in July or August as a possible goal date for its completion.
READ NEXT: Chiefs Rumors: Chris Jones Handed on ‘Staff-Pleasant Deal’ Earlier than Draft
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