Patrick Mahomes had the chance to make history with his contract extension.
The story would not have been in the amount of money he would have received for his services. This should have concerned the amount of money it was fully guaranteed.
Instead of hitting a home run, setting the salary bar and the standard of payment – and not just for him, but for all NFL players – Mahomes signed an equally undeserved deal of his leadership status. league.
For sure, Mahomes missed a golden opportunity to change the wage structure in the NFL forever.
He could have been a modern day Curt Flood, a man who helped usher in free will in baseball.
Armed with an amazing resume, Mahomes couldn’t just ask, but demanded a fully guaranteed contract like the ones they give in MLB, NBA and NHL all day, every day.
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Yes, the deal should have been 12 years of guaranteed cheddar – all $ 503 million. In reality, the Mahomes deal, according to Albert Breer of the Monday Morning Quarterback, has only $ 63 million fully guaranteed on signing and $ 141 million in personal injury benefits.
It’s tiny.
If there was one player with the juice to force his team to give in and compensate him well, it was Mahomes. And whatever the duration or conditions, this should have been fully guaranteed.
What could the chefs do? Say no?
Please. They would not do it. They could not.
Remember, Mahomes led this losing big game franchise to its first Super Bowl title in 50 years. Yes, 5-0. The last time the chefs celebrated a championship, sports writers were still using typewriters.
Mahomes’ golden arm changed all that. And Mahomes, just 24, is loaded with weapons galore and seems to have a chance to get KC more titles.
And do not think that it would have been impossible to withdraw money in advance, out of reach.
In 2018, Minnesota Vikings QB Kirk Cousins signed the first fully guaranteed contract in the league – three years, worth more than $ 84 million. At the time, it was the highest-paid contract on signing in NFL history.
And Cousins’ recovery cabinet was bare compared to Mahomes by the time each guy signed.
This is why the agreement of Mahomes smells bad. We will not call the Mahomes agreement equivalent to the agreement Scottie Pippen agreement signed with the Bulls in 1991– and weep again all these years later – but it’s close.
Mahomes’ deal is so unimpressive that other quarters with far less talent – and without MVP or Super Bowl titles – make essentially the same amount of money as him.
Enter Tennessee Titans QB Ryan Tannehill. This offseason, Tannehill signed a four-year extension worth $ 118 million, including $ 62 million fully guaranteed and $ 91 million in total guarantees, according to the NFL Network.
In addition, Carolina Panthers QB Teddy Bridgewater has accepted a $ 63 million three-year contract ($ 24 million guaranteed the first year), according to ESPN.
There are no companies in the Mahomes contracted area either.
In the end, no one will laugh at the extension of the mega 10-year contract signed Mahomes.
After all, on paper, at least, it was the largest professional sports contract in history – a record $ 503 million.
But when you peel the onion and look a little closer, there is more sizzle than steak. Mahomes’ record deal is not all it was. In fact, some believe it was unwise and unbalanced. And not in his favor either.
The chefs have won. They have complete control over the next 12 years of Mahomes without having to pay the money for those years. In addition, it is unilateral. KC has an agreement, not Mahomes. This simply should not happen when you have leverage.
Worse, most would prefer the Angels’ $ 426 million contract against Mahomes.
And it’s not because it’s more. It’s not. This is because the trout is fully guaranteed.
Yes, Trout will receive every nickel it owes no matter what. The odds of Mahomes getting every penny? Not good at all.
And don’t go on the injury road as an excuse for why this isn’t possible. With advances in medicine and rules that protect quarters, players have been able to stay healthy and play for a long time. Next season will be Tom Brady’s 21st in the NFL. Drew Brees of New Orleans was able to start a career in the Hall of Fame after a major shoulder injury with the Chargers.
A transcendent player on the field, Mahomes was also fortunate to be a transcendent player. It was his time to be like LeBron when he decided he would take on the role of GM and put together his own great team take your talents to South Beach, instead of waiting for the Cleveland front office to get better players.
And even if you can argue whether LeBron’s plan really worked – he has the most defeats in the final (six) of all former regular season MVPs in league history – there is no doubt that he started a trend.
Mahomes could have done the same. If Mahomes had won a fully guaranteed contract, other NFL players could have followed his lead.
Too bad. Just like Mahomes’ new contract.
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