“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.” NBA legend Michael Jordan’s words still ring true, even on the gridiron. This offseason is a prime example. While other quarterbacks are diving into big-money deals, Patrick Mahomes is cool on the other side of the pillow about his contract. No wonder the Chiefs‘ star QB is being hailed for sticking to Tom Brady‘s playbook. He knows it’s not just about the dollars, but it’s about building a dynasty.

In an exclusive interview with USA Today on July 29th, Pat was asked if he felt underpaid. His reply? “Not necessarily.” Now, if he’s fine with his deal, who are we to question the play call, right? But here’s the kicker. Given his star power, why isn’t he angling for more annual cash? NFL analyst Craig Carton dives into this, showing off Mahomes’ savvy like a quarterback reading a blitz. So, prepare to be amazed by the Chiefs’ star’s game plan off the field!

Patrick Mahomes in Tom Brady’s footsteps

Speaking on the Carton Show, on the 30th of July, Craig said, “So, he’s not underpaid. What’s amazing about all of it? He has restructured his contract to open up more cap space, which is what Tom Brady did multiple times with the New England Patriots. That allows them to bring in free agents or resign their own guys like Kelce this year, Chris Jones last year, and on and on.” 

But it does not come as a surprise since this is what Mahomes admitted in the interview as well. “I think we do a great job of managing my money, to be able to pay me a lot of money and keep a good team around me. I know we’ve kind of restructured it a couple of times and got the cash flow up in certain spots and certain years,” he said.

The GOAT debate between Mahomes and Brady isn’t just about their gridiron brilliance. But it extends to their contract strategies, too. So, let’s break down their approaches with a side-by-side comparison:

Tom Brady’s Contract Restructuring:
1. March 2012: Restructured a $5.75M base salary to $950K. Classic move to clear cap space and keep the team competitive.
2. 2013: Signed a $27M extension to keep playing in his 40s. Brady always knew how to play the long game.
3. 2014: Reworked his 2012 salary again, turning $5.75M into $950K and clearing $7.2M in cap space. Talk about a masterclass in cap management!

Patrick Mahomes’ Contract Restructuring:
1. 2021: Adjusted his 10-year, $450M deal. A proactive play to keep the Chiefs in the game.
2. 2024 Off-Season: Freed up over $21M in cap space by restructuring his contract. Mahomes stepped up like a true MVP, easing the cap crunch.
3. Base Salary: With a base salary of $9.85M plus bonuses, Mahomes’ moves help the Chiefs re-sign free agents and target a new left tackle. It’s all about keeping the team roster strong and balanced.

Tom Brady set the bar high, but no worries for Patrick Mahomes. He is chasing it play-by-play, ensuring the Chiefs stay in the game while he racks up records.

However, that’s just one side of the coin. Let’s not forget the other part of the equation! According to Forbes, Brady’s endorsements have racked up an extra $44 million. But what are Pat’s numbers? Forbes lists him at a stable $25 million annually in endorsements. That’s where the real scoreboard shows how other QBs are scrambling to keep up with these two!

Craig’s co-host also put it perfectly on the show: “The endorsements are out of this world. He’s making, what, $45 million this year? Another $25 million in endorsements? That’s annually, $70 million! Yeah, he’s doing okay.”

Meanwhile, even if Pat might not fancy one for himself, he is happy for his fellow QBs in the league who are getting the big money.

Patrick Mahomes is doing pretty well for himself!

If anything, this off-season has told us that the quarterback market is booming! Tua Tagovailoa’s $212 million extension with the Dolphins was the talk of the town—until the Packers swooped in with the highest-paid extension for Jordan Love, worth $220 million. However, the Super Bowl LVIII champ Patrick Mahomes is unshaken. Rather, he is happy for his fellow QBs and their big wins.

“It’s awesome for the game of football. It’s awesome for the quarterbacks, but I think all the positions,” Pat said. But when it comes to his own deal, he added, “I know every time a contract comes up, everybody looks at my APY (average per year) and everything like that. I’m doing pretty well myself,” the reigning SB MVP told Jarrett Bell of the USA Today. Further, Mahomes added that for him it’s all about winning games and securing his family’s future. “I’m doing a great job of that,” he said. But, now, the question is: what’s next?

As the football landscape keeps evolving, he knows that to cement his place as the best of the best alongside Tom Brady, a 3-peat would be the ultimate play. Do you think with the talent surrounding him at the Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes can pull it off in 2024? Let us know!