It’s not all about the money for Patrick Mahomes.
The Chiefs quarterback — who signed a record deal in 2019, for 10 years and $450 million — isn’t fazed by critiques of his contact in comparison to other quarterbacks that are up for massive extensions.
“If you’re ticked off making all the money that I’m making, you’re probably a little bit messed up,” Mahomes said when asked by NBC’s Peter King what he thinks about critics who believe he should be unhappy with his contract. “I know I’m going to be taken care of for the rest of my life. Being in this organization and being on the platform that the NFL has given me, I’ve been able to make money off the field as well.”
Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up
Patrick Mahomes isn’t letting criticism of his massive contract faze him.
Mahomes also explained that, for him, winning and having a meaningful legacy trumps being the highest-paid player.
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“If you watch some of the great quarterbacks, man, it’s not always about getting the most money. It’s about going out there and winning and having a legacy that you can kind of live with forever.
For me, that’s what I want,” said Mahomes. “Obviously, I want to make money and be able to buy everything I want and all that different type of stuff, but that’s not the reason I started playing football. The reason I started playing football was to win Super Bowls, to enjoy these relationships that I’m building on this field with all my friends who are my teammates. I think at the end of the day if I do that, I’ll be a happy guy in the end.”
Mahomes has been busy both on and off the field at training camp, as the quarterback has taken on a more mental role in helping teach his teammates.
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“I can’t just focus on my job anymore. I’ve got to focus on every single person, every single detail,” said Mahomes. “I think it’ll make me a better quarterback.”
Chiefs coach Andy Reid also praised Mahomes for being open to the team’s new receivers — and understanding why the team traded his favorite target, Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins in March.
“They showed me the plan,” Mahomes said. “They showed me the reasons that this had to be done at this time. I obviously talked to Tyreek as well, tried to do whatever I could to bring him back. Once we kind of got past that bridge and he was going somewhere else, they had a great game plan of getting these receivers that we have out here now. Kind of keep this thing moving forward.”