The Kansas City Chiefs wasted little time securing their franchise quarterback long-term with the recent 10-year contract extension to Patrick Mahomes worth a total of $503 million. The record-breaking deal heard around the world has managed to dwarf some of the most recent lucrative contracts from the Chiefs’ front office.
The last quarterback contract extension from the club was for former starter Alex Smith in 2014. Smith agreed to a deal with $45 million in guaranteed money to continue leading Kansas City until he was eventually succeeded by Mahomes before the 2018 season. The deal was initially viewed by many critics as a contract fit for an elite quarterback in the league, but Smith wasn’t viewed as an elite quarterback.
One year later, the Chiefs agreed to terms with longtime fan favorite Justin Houston on a six-year $101 million dollar deal with $52.5 million guaranteed. The linebacker would eventually be let go by the Chiefs last offseason spending 2019 with the Indianapolis Colts. At the time, the contract was the richest in team history and most ever by a linebacker in the league.
Last offseason, the Chiefs spent big money on two defensive stars of the eventual Super Bowl LIV champion team. Tyrann Mathieu agreed to an impressive 3-year $42 million dollar deal with the Chiefs bringing his All-Pro status to the secondary. The other significant deal went to defensive lineman Frank Clark at 5 years worth $105.5 million dollars with a whopping $63.5 million guaranteed. The sign-and-trade with the Seattle Seahawks earned Clark one of the all-time great defensive contracts in franchise history.
The large amounts dealt out to the four players mentioned are still a far cry from Mahomes’ deal. The staggering belief that the combined contract’s total of Smith, Houston, Mathieu and, Clark is shockingly short of Mahomes’ total by almost $210 million. It shows you that every key figure in the Chiefs’ franchise is fully bought in when it comes to Mahomes’ leadership and ability to lead this team to future championships.
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