By: Jeremiah Holloway (’22), Managing Editor
If it isn’t clear by now, a certain man in Kansas City, Missouri just secured himself some generational income.
Patrick Mahomes recently received a massive contract extension, which added 10 years to his rookie contract. It is speculated to be worth nearly half a billion dollars – if all incentives are met – and has a guaranteed $63 million upon signing the contract, according to sportingnews.com. Included in the $63 million is a $10 million signing bonus. While much of the contract is back-loaded, its potential is astronomical. Not only is he the highest-paid player in the NFL, but this extension now gives him the largest contract in the history of sports.
Mahomes has constructed an incredible resume in just three NFL seasons. He was drafted 10th overall out of Texas Tech in 2017. After not playing much in his first season, he won the MVP in his first season as a starter, throwing 50 touchdowns and reaching the AFC championship game. This past season, he took the Chiefs to the Super Bowl, defeating the San Francisco 49ers.
The marketability of his on-field production paired with his influence over the league off the field makes Mahomes worth every dollar of his contract.
His assortment of flashy passes, 2nd half comebacks, and game-winning drives has won over many NFL fans in his favor. He is the highest rated quarterback on the upcoming video game Madden 21, with the iconic 99 overall rating.
He also gained a lot of support from the Black NFL fan base in June, as he participated in a player-led video calling for justice against police brutality. His cameo was accentuated by his proclamation of the three golden words: Black Lives Matter.
As the new face of the NFL, his involvement in the video was powerful and put more pressure on the NFL to support players in their commitment to addressing racial injustice. This forced the NFL’s hand and led to commissioner Roger Goodell putting out a statement the next day.
This new contract will have an impact beyond Kansas City securing its franchise player for the distant future. This deal will also do a lot for Black quarterbacks in the NFL.
There have been many stigmas against Black quarterbacks throughout the years. Those who are athletic are often asked to play a different position, as they don’t fit the prototypical White, pocket-passing quarterback. Black quarterbacks who are talented quarterbacks are often given fewer opportunities and have little margin for error before being benched or released from their teams.
While these stigmas still exist to a degree, it is undeniable that the game’s most elite quarterbacks today are Black. Not only Mahomes, but league MVP Lamar Jackson, Russell Wilson, and Deshaun Watson – among others – are at the top of the league playing behind the center. Typically, new contracts in the NFL change the market at a given position. Though Wilson is well beyond his rookie contract and has already crafted a Hall of Fame resume, Mahomes’ deal gives leverage to Jackson and Watson down the line for their contract negotiations.
Since last season, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has been looking to get a long term deal for himself. Regardless of where the negotiations go, Kansas City’s commitment to Mahomes signals to the rest of the league that the worth of an elite quarterback is much higher than the organizations are willing to realize.
As well deserved as Patrick Mahomes’ deal is, it’s a win for Black quarterbacks not only in the NFL, but those seeking to reach that level. Though he didn’t single-handedly prove that Black quarterbacks are talented, as they already are, his dominance thus far helps debunk many of the falsities put upon this group of players.
For Mahomes right now, his hands are on the wheels of the NFL’s car. The league goes where he tells it to.
