Patrick Mahomes isn’t just a quarterback. As far as the Chiefs are concerned, he’s the greatest thing that ever happened to Kansas City. Two-time MVP, three-time Super Bowl champ. The legacy he has already created sings louder than Metallica’s ‘Unforgiven II’. But you know what else he is? The dude’s a brand in his own right. And that brand comes with a price tag that’s hard to ignore.

But before we talk about the price tags, let’s talk more about the man. Patrick Mahomes could’ve easily become the highest-paid QB (annually) in the league. The Chiefs’ kingdom would certainly not have any issues giving their honorary prince a crown of his own. But that’s not who he is. On many occasions, he has moved around his contract, so the team has a better cap. The thought behind it is simple. ‘I’m here to stay, so why not get some guys that can help me win?’ He wants to win Super Bowls, and what good is money when you have a shot at someday being called a 6-7 time Super Bowl champ? That’s got a ring to it the likes of which no big check could buy. But if you’re talking about checks alone, he’s in a class of his own. 

Patrick Mahomes’ net worth is only a little shy of $90 million. According to Forbes, Mahomes is 18th on the list of highest-paid athletes in the world. Talk about big money bags. And a lot of this has to do with the money he makes off the field. But how is it calculated? As Forbes wrote recently, “The off-field earnings figures are an estimate of sponsorship deals, appearance fees and memorabilia, and licensing income for all 12 months leading to May 1, 2025, plus cash returns from any businesses in which the athlete has a significant interest.” And the off-field earnings? A whopping $28 million. Highest in the NFL. Whoa! Right? But where does all this dough come from? Don’t worry, we’ve got that covered too. 

Patrick Mahomes has four luxurious properties in two states. He has also dipped his toes in the franchise ownership pool like Tom Brady. But Mahomes doesn’t own any NFL teams. He’s got stakes in F1, MLS, MLB, and NWSL teams. This guy’s not just about football, after all. But is that all? Think again. Add to the cauldron deals with Adidas, Subway, Oakley, State Farm, T-Mobile, and CommunityAmerica Credit Union. Add the final ingredient of being part of a group that owns multiple Whataburgers, and you’ve got the $28 million magic potion. And that gets you the crown of being the highest off-the-field earner in the NFL.

Interestingly, the two that are tied in the second place behind the Chiefs QB are Dak Prescott and Justin Herbert. Their off-field amounts? $10 million. Not even half of what Patrick Mahomes makes. And Dak Prescott and Josh Allen have Patrick Mahomes snubbed in only one aspect. What aspect? Let’s get right to it, then.

The Mahomes, Prescott, and Allen Supremacy

IF Patrick Mahomes wanted, he could be the highest-paid guy in the NFL. But because that’s not what he wants, the other two guys have him beat. Now, the thing is, salaries are an annual thing. And as far as annual salaries go, Dak Prescott reigns supreme with a whopping $60 million a year. Coming in second is not one person, but actually four. Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Jordan Love, and Trevor Lawrence all make $55 million a year. So, in terms of yearly pay, they are clearly outshining Mahomes with his $45 million a year deal. But is that all so simple?

As per SI’s Ryan Phillips, it’s not. According to Phillips, “This question depends on how you measure ‘highest-paid.’ If we’re talking about total contract value, Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes is the top dog, with a $450 million deal.” It’s only if you count annually that our “top dog” comes down. As Phillips further explains, “If, instead, we’re judging by average annual value, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is No. 1. His four-year, $240 million deal averages $60 million per year. Lastly, if we’re discussing total guaranteed money, Buffalo Bills star and reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen is No. 1, with a deal containing $250 million in guarantees.” So, Allen and Prescott might be winning in terms of how much they bring in every year, but no one holds a candle to the Chiefs’ QB.

If Mahomes wanted a bigger paycheck, the Chiefs wouldn’t deny him. But then they wouldn’t get to spend as much on bringing new players to their arsenal. And at 29 years old, Mahomes has already made more than most guys make in a lifetime. As far as the Chiefs fandom is concerned, Patrick Mahomes might already be the richest guy in their world. Not just because of the money, but because he’s got the heart and drive to go along with it, too.