Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Patrick Mahomes Restructures Chiefs Contract for Historic Payday

  • Mahomes’ restructured Chiefs deal will pay him $210.6 million through 2026, the most in NFL history over a four-year span.
  • His $52.6M average annual salary from 2023-2026 ranks second behind Joe Burrow’s $55 million average salary.
Mahomes’ restructured Chiefs deal will pay him $210.6 million through 2026, the most in NFL history over a four-year span.
Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has agreed to restructure his contract to pay him $210.6 million in guaranteed salary between this season and 2026, the most ever for an NFL player in a four-year span.

Escalators in his restructured deal could increase his total 2023-2026 compensation to $218.1 million, according to Ian Rapoport. The two-time Super Bowl champion and defending MVP signed a 10-year, $450 million extension with the Chiefs in 2020 that keeps him under contract through the 2031 season.

Mahomes’ original contract had incentives that could push his total compensation to $503 million, making it the largest athlete contract in American professional sports history. 

At $210.6 million guaranteed, Mahomes will now make $52.65 million per year for the 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 seasons. That average annual value ranks him second among NFL players behind Joe Burrow’s $55 million AAV that he’ll get across his five-year, $275 million extension signed earlier this month with the Cincinnati Bengals. 

Mahomes’ 10-year deal originally ranked him eighth among all quarterbacks in average annual salary. His $52.65 million AAV for the next four years makes him one of five active quarterbacks to reach the $50 million per year threshold along with Burrow, the Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Hurts ($51M AAV), Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson ($52M AAV), and Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert ($52.5M).

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Networks Get Mixed Results With Week 1 NFL Viewership

CBS sees some viewership attrition, while NBC rebounded on Sunday night.
Sam Porter

Private Equity Giant Apollo Taking ‘Hard Look’ at NFL Investment

Apollo isn’t on the NFL’s approved PE list—yet.

Ndamukong Suh Blasts Rams’ ‘Asinine’ Australia Travel Plan

The Rams traveled to a game in Melbourne just a day before kickoff.

Gotham FC Co-Owner Supports Both ‘Rodman Rule’ and Salary Cap

Carolyn Tisch Blodgett emphasized the importance of star power and parity.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

9/15/26 – NFL Kickoff Ratings Dip, Ballmer Accepts Punishment, Sweeney Ad Backlash

0:00

Featured Today

Oct 4, 2025; Tempe, AZ, USA; General action during the first period of the game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Mullett Arena

How Military-Style Workouts in College Sports Get Dangerous

For elite athletes, high-intensity training can be “very appealing.”
September 6, 2026

Is Carolyn Tisch Blodgett the Future Face of Giants Ownership?

Amid changes at top of Giants ownership, eyes are on Tisch Blodgett.
September 4, 2026

Wild Transfer Window Shows How Premier League Towers Over Soccer

Spending in England vastly outstripped the rest of Europe.
September 3, 2026

Teams Are Spending Millions to Build Luxury Locker Rooms

It’s a recruiting pitch, a retention tool, and a seven-figure line item.
September 1, 2026

High School Football Sidelines Are Clogged With Content Creators

Administrators call these amateur newcomers the “pajama paparazzi.”
Aug 28, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) warms up against the Seattle Seahawks prior to a game at Arrowhead Stadium.

Mahomes Comeback Kicks Off ESPN ‘MNF’ Coverage

The two-time NFL MVP is completing a remarkable injury recovery.
September 12, 2026

Rybakina Wins First US Open Title, World No. 1, and $5.5M

The 27-year-old will officially become No. 1 in the world on Monday.
September 13, 2026

Myles Garrett’s Knee Surgery Adds to Rams’ Early Woes

He’ll miss at least four games on IR.
Sponsored

Drew Weatherford’s Bet on the Youth Sports Economy

Drew Weatherford discusses investing across the youth, college and professional levels.
September 11, 2026

Taylor Fritz’s Latest Ball Complaint: Retail Ones Are ‘Miserable’

Fritz was knocked out of the US Open in the third round.
September 11, 2026

US Open Ticket Prices Collapse for First Men’s Semifinal

The get-in for Zverev-Khachanov dipped below $30 Friday morning.
September 9, 2026

Late-Night Shelton-Alcaraz Thriller Raises Questions for US Open

Alcaraz and Shelton’s match ended at 3:34 a.m. ET.
September 8, 2026

Puka Nacua Remains Eligible for Rams Australia Opener

His disciplinary case is still under review.