Patrick Mahomes once was the highest-paid player in NFL history, when in 2020 he signed a 10-year, $503 million megadeal. After Aaron Rodgers, Josh Allen and Deshaun Watson took the lead the year after, and then Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson took turns with the crown this offseason, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback has slid down the list.
But the two-time Super Bowl champion said he’s not worried about money — “I’ve made enough money where I’ll be set for the rest of my life” — and knows the importance of having a strong 53-man roster.
“Me and my agent and the team always keep open communication,” he told the media Wednesday after offseason practice. “We try to do whatever’s the best for the team, but obviously I wanna do the best for myself as well. But at the same time, I’ve always said I worry about legacy and winning rings more than making money at this moment. But I know we keep communication, we see what’s going on around the league, but at the same time, I’ll never do anything that’s going to hurt us from keeping the great players around me, so it’s kind of teetering around that line.”
He said the line is difficult to navigate, but that doing so is a mark of greatness.
“(You want to) not hurt other quarterbacks whenever their contracts come up, you wanna kinda keep the bar pushing. … Everybody wants to get paid a lot of money,” he said. “They think they’re the best at their craft, they want to get paid like that. But at the same time, if you look at the greats in the league, they find that right spot where they’re getting paid a lot of money, but at the same time, keeping a lot of great players around me.”
Last season, Mahomes was named MVP and powered through the playoffs after spraining his ankle in the divisional round. The Chiefs went on to defeat Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles for Mahomes’ second championship in four years.
LOOK BACK:Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes agrees to historic 10-year contract extension
Patrick Mahomes on managing a busy schedule with appearances at Met Gala, Kentucky Derby
This offseason, Mahomes was everywhere. He was on stage at the 2023 NFL draft in Kansas City. He and his wife, Brittany, attended the Met Gala. He delivered the “Riders Up” call at the Kentucky Derby and, the next day, was walking the paddock at the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix.
He gave some insight into how he’s able to maintain a busy schedule and stay focused.
“If you have two kids, it kinda keeps you grounded,” he laughed. “I’ve been able to do a lot of stuff … stuff that I’ve always wanted to do. I’ve always wanted to go to the Kentucky Derby, but I wanted to win the Super Bowl before I went. Obviously, the last (Super Bowl win), we had COVID, that canceled that. So I was glad that we were able to experience that, it was an awesome race.
“It’s just picking and choosing what you can do. Then now we’re back in football, so you’re kinda really locking down and getting your body back in the right spot. I have a few more trips, but nothing too major. I’ve kind of settled down for the rest of the offseason.”
Patrick Mahomes on importance of privacy amid accusations against brother Jackson
Mahomes’ older brother, Jackson, was accused of forcibly kissing a woman in February. He was charged with three counts of aggravated sexual battery.
The quarterback was mum when asked about the case.
“Honestly, it’s kind of a personal thing that I’m just kind of going to keep to myself,” he said. “I mean, at the end of the day, I come here to play football and try to take care of my family at the same time. So I just kinda keep it to myself and just go out there and play football when I’m in the building.”
