You know you’ve made it when folks start throwing your name in with the all-time greats. And in Patrick Mahomes’ case? Well, some fans are already making the case that he’s not just in the conversation—he’s it, the GOAT. The magic he creates on the field is one thing, but what’s just as impressive is how he’s working his off-field game. This Patriots legend is betting Mahomes might even top Tom Brady when it comes to career impact and, maybe, earnings.

Michael Bennett recently shared his thoughts on Games With Names, the podcast he hosted by fellow Pats’ legend Julian Edelman. He didn’t hold back, saying that Mahomes might join NBA icon Michael Jordan in the “billion-dollar club.” The former DE didn’t mince words: “Patrick Mahomes…he’ll be the first player probably to ever reach a billion dollars through purely sports and football.” Now, that’s a statement and a half. But he did not stop just at that.

Bennett settled another ongoing debate, yup, the Mahomes and Lamar Jackson one. “For real, he’s the best player that we’ve seen come out of the draft. I would say that Lamar Jackson is the best athlete we’ve seen in many years. But the best player I would say is by far Patrick Mahomes. I mean, it’s not even close anymore.” Many Mahomians and Chiefs fans would be screaming: FINALLY!

But coming back to the topic of earnings and how Pat could be a ‘billionaire‘. See, putting Mahomes in the company of Jordan, who is still making money hand over fist thanks to the empire he built off a single brand, might sound off. Think about it. Nike took a chance on Jordan in 1984, handing him a five-year, $12.5 million deal. And it was the start of his billion-dollar empire.

Those Air Jordans? They took off and raked in $100 million in their first year alone, catapulting MJ to legend status on and off the court. Today, Jordan’s royalties sit at a cool 5% per sale, netting him an incredible $500 million in 2023. It’s this kind of enduring impact and brand legacy that Bennett sees as Mahomes’ potential future.

Mahomes has already started putting down his own foundation for that kind of legacy. His $450 million NFL contract is the biggest in football history, sure, but he’s not stopping there. His endorsement deals keep stacking up, and he’s made smart moves in sports ownership, snagging stakes in teams like the Kansas City Royals, Sporting KC, Kansas City Current, and even a Formula 1 team, Alpine F1. He’s turning his influence into a business portfolio that could stand the test of time.

There’s no doubt Tom Brady set a high bar. With seven Super Bowl rings and a net worth of $300 million, Brady changed what it means to be a pro athlete in terms of earnings and impact. But Mahomes? He’s got a real shot at shattering that bar, taking the NFL to new financial heights that Brady and others didn’t quite reach. However, he might have used Brady’s playbook to change the game for himself.

How did Patrick Mahomes use Tom Brady’s playbook for his contract?

You know, when it comes to playing the long game, Patrick Mahomes seems to have cracked the code. Sure, he’s the highest-paid quarterback in terms of total contract value at a cool $450 million. But he’s also showing he might just know a thing or two about making that money work for him. And, of course, his team. If you’re thinking, “Hey, that sounds a lot like Tom Brady’s playbook,” you’d be spot on.

Brady was the master of taking less to get more on the field, and it looks like Mahomes has taken a page out of that very book. Recently, with new QB deals flooding in (yup, all the big money that was splurged on Tua, Love, Dak, etc.), Mahomes has slipped down to the 11th spot in annual pay. Think he’s sweating it? Not really. “I think we do a great job of managing my money,” Mahomes said at the time. The Chiefs have done some contract restructuring along the way, giving Mahomes more cash upfront and keeping the team competitive. Smart, right?

Now, you might ask, why not demand top dollar every year? Mahomes knows that in a salary-capped league, taking every last cent means there’s less to go around for building a championship roster. As he puts it, “It’s about having a good dialogue, good communication with the front office, with ownership.” And with that level of teamwork, he gets to keep KC in a winning spot while still doing well enough for himself. I mean, he knows that his O-line has to be amazing for him to keep rolling under center.

So, while it’s tempting to chase record-breaking paydays every season, Mahomes seems more focused on building a legacy. Just like Brady, who was all about those “bites at the apple” with a talented roster (be it at the Pats or the Bucs). Pat is keeping an eye on the big picture. And if that means sliding down a few spots on the paycheck leaderboard. Yeah, that’s not an issue. Now, he’s locked in on a 3-peat.