Mahomes' big bet on football pays off with $503 million deal

Patrick Mahomes risked everything when he opted for football over baseball.

Turns out, he got baseball money anyway.

One day after former two-sport star got a 10-year deal worth up to $503 million, richest contract in American sports history, reigning Super Bowl MVP repeatedly insisted this deal was about more than money. He wants to be cornerstone of a dynasty in Kansas City.

“That’s how I’ve always been built — to follow my passions and do things to best of my ability," Chiefs quarterback said Tuesday on a Zoom call. “It's never been about money for me. I’m glad we have this done and I can go out and be same player that I was and same person that I was."

Chiefs are banking on it.

y rewarded 24-year-old Mahomes with $477 million in guarantee mechanisms, a -trade clause and opt-out clauses if he doesn't hit those guarantees — clauses more commonly associated with baseball contracts than football deals.

But almost from moment Kansas City traded up to select Texas Tech star with . 10 overall pick in 2017 draft, front office had been mapping out a strategy to keep Mahomes.

“Going back to first free ncy I was part of in 2018, we had idea of structuring deals with Pat in mind," general manr Brett Veach said.

“ one thing, as Pat's success kept going on, numbers kept bigger and bigger. So it took off and that was a good challenge to have. But I remember when this first came out, (director of football administration) Brandt (Tilis) came to me said ‘Pat’s going to be a baseball contract, he’s that good.'”

He certainly has been past two seasons.

His strong arm, fleet feet and uncanny ability to accurately throw from different angles already have made 24-year-old into one of league's big stars. His humble, charming personality has resonated with fans and teammates alike, and resume is starting to fill up, too.

After throwing only 35 passes as a rookie, Mahomes broke virtually every single-season franchise passing record in 2018 when he was league's MVP, Associated Press Offensive Player of Year and led Chiefs to ir first AFC championship game in a quarter century.

n, despite missing two games with a dislocated right kneecap last season, Mahomes closed regular season with six straight wins and capped season by rallying Kansas City with two fourth-quarter touchdown passes to give Chiefs ir first Super Bowl title in 50 years.

That's all coach Andy Reid needed to see a long-time investment would be worth every cent.

“I’m so happy for Pat, for Kansas City Chiefs organization and really for city of Kansas City for having this opportunity to have a true franchise quarterback here, one that was drafted here which hasn’t happened for almost duration of Chiefs organization," Reid said.

“I think Brett did a phemenal job of organizing this. I joked that he and (former general manr John) Dorsey wore me out about bringing Pat here, saying he was best player y'd ever seen."

And it almost never happened.

Mahomes was a top baseball prospect out of high school and might have followed his far, Pat, and his godfar, LaTroy Hawkins to big leagues if he had been selected earlier in 2014 draft.

Some thought he was worthy of a $1 million deal. But fear of Mahomes spurning baseball world for football sent his draft stock sliding, until Detroit Tigers took him in 14th round.

That was only sign Mahomes needed.

But he still found a way to cash in with a deal that surpasses Mike Trout's previous record with Los Angeles Angels of $426.5 million.

Mahomes wanted even more from Chiefs.

By agreeing to a deal that would keep him in Kansas City for 12 more years, Mahomes wanted to make sure 62-year-old Reid would still be coaching and that Chiefs had eugh flexibility under salary cap to reward his teammates.

Once he checked those two boxes, Mahomes was ready to sign for half-billion dollar paycheck.

“I knew from moment I stepped on Arrowhead Stadium field that this was where I wanted to spend my entire career," Mahomes said.

“I’ve always believed in legacy thing and I think you see that with whole entire team. y want to be a part of this culture and y want to build a dynasty. That takes a lot of work and I think we have those guys in this locker room."

Im credits: AP