Mahomes has already delivered everything the Chiefs could have hoped for when they selected him in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Since then, he has transformed the franchise into a perennial contender and helped bring three Super Bowl championships back to Kansas City.

According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, the latest agreement is unlike anything the NFL has seen before. “Record deal: The Chiefs are adding two years to Patrick Mahomes’ contract, tying him to Kansas City through the 2033 season at a value of $504.75 million, making it the first NFL deal valued at over a half-billion dollars.”

How much money will Patrick Mahomes earn with Kansas City Chiefs?

Patrick Mahomes will earn $64 million per year after his new deal with the Kansas City Chiefs. Schefter explained the record numbers. “Mahomes can make up to $522.25 million through incentives and escalators. Beginning in 2027, when the new money begins, the deal averages $64 million per year, setting an NFL record for average annual value.”

The journey to this historic agreement began with one of the greatest bargains in modern NFL history. Mahomes entered the league in 2017 on a four-year rookie contract worth approximately $16.4 million.

While standard for a first-round quarterback, the deal quickly became one of the NFL’s best values as Mahomes developed into a superstar and led the Chiefs to multiple championships.

In 2020, Kansas City rewarded him with an amazing 10-year, $450 million extension. Even though the deal shattered records at the time, many analysts viewed it as team-friendly because it provided long-term flexibility and helped the Chiefs manage the salary cap while continuing to build a championship roster around their franchise quarterback.

Patrick Mahomes’ contract compared to other NFL QB’s

Now, the Chiefs have adjusted that agreement once again to better reflect the modern quarterback market. The NFL’s financial landscape has changed dramatically in recent years, with Dak Prescott reaching the $60 million-per-year mark and other elite quarterbacks such as Joe Burrow and Josh Allen approaching or exceeding $55 million annually.

By revising Mahomes’ contract, the Chiefs ensure their most important player remains compensated in line with the league’s top quarterbacks while maintaining a partnership that has already produced one of the NFL’s greatest dynasties.

“I didn’t do much recruiting; I’ll leave that to (General Manager Brett) Veach and the guys,“ Mahomes said during the recent OTAs. “I think we recruit ourselves just by who we are.

“I like having veterans around and guys like that, and at that tournament, they’re the only guys that can get off work that week. There was some good football players there, but I didn’t do any recruiting in that standpoint, I think I’ll leave that to Veach and the guys.”

When Mahomes refers to a “veteran,” he might be talking about Cam Jordan, who remains a free agent. His interaction with the QB during the ’15 and the Mahomies Vegas Golf Classic fueled speculation about a potential move to Chiefs Kingdom.

Will Jordan arrive in Kansas City?

The Kansas City Chiefs are heavily linked to pass rusher Cameron Jordan, a potential move made highly plausible by his strong connection to Steve Spagnuolo from their 2012 stint with the New Orleans Saints. Despite being 36, Jordan proved he still has plenty of gas in the tank by recording 10.5 sacks last season, making him an ideal target for a Chiefs defense that urgently needs to reinforce its edge-rushing depth.

Behind George Karlaftis, Kansas City relies heavily on unproven depth like Ashton Gillotte and rookie R Mason Thomas, a vulnerability that became more glaring after losing key secondary players.

With the Chiefs recently restructuring contracts to clear over $13 million in cap space, adding an elite, ring-chasing veteran who already understands Spagnuolo’s complex defensive scheme makes perfect sense for both sides.

Mahomes aims to be 100% for Week 1

Even after suffering a devastating torn ACL and LCL against the Chargers last season, Patrick Mahomes is already out there moving around at OTAs, fully driven to hit Week 1 at 100%. Naturally, Brett Veach is keeping a close eye on his franchise QB’s progress, but the energy around the facility is incredibly high as Mahomes addresses next step in recovery. He’s beating the usual timeline, looking remarkably fluid and focused on being completely ready for the opener.

Mahomes spoke on having Bieniemy back and said, “It’s just a standard that you have to practice with, and you have to play with, and he’s gonna hold you to that standard no matter who you are… he has brought in a lot of concepts and a lot of things that I’ve really liked that we’ve added in now.”

Mahomes also addressed the next step in his recovery, but the fact is he sounds like he is ready to go. Bieniemy could become one of the most underrated moves in the offseason if he can turn this offense around.

Bieniemy has a keen eye for detail

Mahomes stated the fact that Bieniemy came back with new concepts. Bieniemy is relentless and loves to try new things. In fact, he likes to go and spend time with all the units on offense. Mahomes loves that about the OC.

Bieniemy has a catch phrase, even Bears’ head coach Ben Johnson quoted him in February, saying “the standard is the standard.” Newly-arrived Kenneth Walker III also spoke on Bieniemy saying, “He’s got high standards, and that’s good if you wanna be better.”

Mahomes was better when Bieniemy was on the roster

Mahomes is an all-time great quarterback. However, he’s hit a bit of a slump in recent years. When Bieniemy was on the Chiefs during Mahomes early years, he thrived in ways the NFL hasn’t seen before.

Under Bieniemy, Mahomes won two MVPs, led the NFL in touchdowns twice, had two 5,000-yard seasons and led the league in QBR twice. Then, under Matt Nagy, he only got to the 4,000-yard mark once. He never had a full season under 4,000 with Bieniemy.

Per Charles Goldman of AtoZ Sports, Mahomes said, “Next step will be getting with team and getting under center. It’s a process, you’ve got to stay apart of it… You have to stay great everyday, if you do that… you get the opportunity to get out there on the field.”

Hence, Mahomes’ mission right now is to be able to fully practice with the rest of the Chiefs roster. Mahomes has been working separately but is on pace to recover way before the original timeline of late September to early October. In fact, there is confidence that he will be able to play in Week 1 for the Chiefs.

The Chiefs have a primetime game in Week 1

The NFL seems to believe that Mahomes is actually ahead of schedule and that’s why the Chiefs have a primetime game in Week 1 against divisional rivals Broncos. The Broncos swept the Chiefs last season, so Kansas City is ready to take revenge.

Mahomes didn’t play in the second game against the Broncos. Hence, it was not shocking to see the Broncos won 38-0. Kansas City had Carson Wentz under center that time. The Chiefs hope to have Mahomes in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season and not have to use a backup.

The Chiefs offense need more than just Mahomes

Yes, Mahomes is the one guy that can change the season for good or worse depending on his availability. However, even if he is able to play from Week 1, the fact is that Mahomes needs help from his weapons.

Rashee Rice is in jail right now. Xavier Worthy hasn’t been what he was supposed to be. Travis Kelce is in what can be the last year of his NFL career. There is no real depth to the team’s skill positions right now. Mahomes needs help now more than ever.

The head coach shared his thoughts during a recent Chiefs press conference, and the promising declaration was shared on X by Charles Goldman of A to Z Sports. “I like what I’ve seen. He’s working hard. This is good for him. You get him out there throwing; it’s rehab… He’s doing partial practice,” Reid announced.

Reid further elaborated on the collective effort required to get Mahomes back to peak performance without rushing the process. “It’s important. He’s busted his tail to put himself in this position… We’ve got good communication with the doctors. They keep a close eye on him, and we listen to them,“ he stated.

Can the Chiefs survive until Mahomes returns?

The Chiefs absolutely need Mahomes healthy and under center if they want to remain a true championship threat in a highly competitive AFC field. If he can successfully return for the opening weeks of the 2026 season, Kansas City can avoid falling behind in the divisional standings early on.

With former backup Gardner Minshew departing in free agency, the front office had to pivot by trading for Justin Fields. While Fields and backup Chris Oladokun offer unique athletic traits, they simply do not possess the elite throwing power or championship pedigree that Mahomes brings.

Reid is widely regarded as an offensive genius, but winning a Lombardi Trophy without a generational talent like Mahomes remains an incredibly steep hill to climb. Ultimately, the Chiefs’ hopes of a championship run hinge entirely on their franchise quarterback making a full recovery.

After months of uncertainty surrounding his ACL and LCL rehabilitation process, a new report from ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler suggests the superstar quarterback may already be ahead of schedule in his attempt to return for the start of the 2026 NFL season.

“He is ahead of schedule. Sources I have talked to say that he’s been rehabbing like a maniac in Kansas City. Sometimes he spends the offseason, for parts of it, in Texas throwing with his receivers or back home. He’s been in Kansas City for the majority of this time to really dig on the rehab. He’s in there every day six or seven hours getting after it.”

Will Patrick Mahomes be ready for Week 1?

For now, it’s possible. While the Chiefs continue taking a cautious approach with Patrick Mahomes, Fowler’s latest update suggests the process is moving in the right direction as the quarterback progresses into more demanding stages of rehabilitation.

“I’m told the next step is the cutting part. That’s where he’s got to get comfortable. He’s been throwing often for the last month or so, but cutting is a big one. Still looking at Week 1. He’s got to prove it over time. They have to clear him and all that stuff, but his goal has not changed. Week 1 is the goal.”

The cutting phase represents one of the most important checkpoints in Mahomes’ recovery because it directly tests the stability and confidence in the injured knee.

Throwing the football is obviously encouraging, but the ability to move naturally, plant, and change direction remains critical for a quarterback known for extending plays outside the pocket.

A huge moment for the Chiefs

For the Chiefs, having Patrick Mahomes available at the beginning of the season could completely reshape expectations in the AFC. They still possess one of the league’s most dangerous offensive rosters, and a healthy Mahomes would immediately put the franchise back into the Super Bowl conversation despite the challenges of competing in a loaded AFC landscape.

At this point, they appear focused on balancing optimism with patience. But based on Fowler’s report and Mahomes’ relentless rehab commitment, the possibility of seeing the Chiefs star under center in Week 1 suddenly feels far more realistic than many initially expected.

The sight of Mahomes back on the field changes the tone around Kansas City entering the 2026 NFL season. There had been growing concerns that the recovery timeline from multiple ligament injuries in his left knee could extend deep into the regular season, potentially putting Week 1 availability in doubt. Instead, the early OTA footage suggests the recovery process may be moving ahead faster than many expected.

While the Chiefs will undoubtedly remain cautious throughout the summer, Mahomes participating in football activities this early provides legitimate optimism inside the organization and across the fan base. Kansas City’s championship window remains wide open as long as Mahomes is healthy, and his return to throwing drills is already fueling hope that the offense could be close to full strength by the start of the season.

Patrick Mahomes’ recovery could change everything for the Chiefs in 2026

The Chiefs are once again positioning themselves as Super Bowl contenders, and Mahomes’ recovery is the centerpiece of those ambitions. They enter the 2026 season with an offense loaded with playmakers, including Kenneth Walker III, Travis Kelce, and Xavier Worthy.

Kelce’s experience and chemistry with Mahomes remain critical for the offense, while Worthy’s explosiveness adds another deep-threat dimension that defenses must respect. The addition of Kenneth Walker III also gives Kansas City more balance offensively, potentially helping reduce pressure on Mahomes early in the season as he continues regaining full mobility and confidence in the knee.

Another major factor for the Chiefs will be the situation surrounding Rashee Rice. The talented wide receiver continues dealing with legal issues that could impact his availability moving forward. Andy Reid knows that having Rice fully available and focused on football would significantly elevate the offense and provide Mahomes with another elite weapon in the passing game.

For now, though, the biggest takeaway from OTAs is simple: Patrick Mahomes is back on the field, throwing passes, and giving the Chiefs a realistic reason to believe another championship run is possible. After the uncertainty surrounding such serious knee injuries, that alone feels like a massive victory for Kansas City heading into 2026.

During a recent appearance on NFL Network’s ‘The Insiders’, Smith opened up about the importance of protecting Patrick Mahomes better this upcoming season.

“As an offensive lineman, you always feel the responsibility to keep your quarterback calm, protected, and allowing him to operate,” Smith said. “You have the best quarterback in the game right now, so you just want to give him every opportunity to do what he does best.”

Mahomes continues his recovery

Everything indicates that Mahomes‘ recovery is a success and that his competitive spirit is what keeps him afloat and hungry to return and triumph, as Mahomes is expected to be in attendance during OTAs, but will still be working his way back from knee surgery in rehab.

Once he’s back in the lineup, the offensive line, led by Smith, will focus on keeping him healthy. “At the end of the day, I think the pressure is on us just as a team, and individually, what we can do to get better every single day,” Smith said. “At the end of the day, Patrick Mahomes is the best competitor I’ve ever been around.”

There has been talk that Mahomes is ahead of what was expected in his recovery, but ESPN insider Adam Schefter warned Andy Reid and highlighted the differences between recovering and being at 100% for an NFL match.

“As much as we know Patrick Mahomes, and as great as he’s been, I don’t know that we know what we’re going to get from Patrick Mahomes early on. Let’s not diminish the fact that he tore his ACL, he tore his LCL, he’s had a toe injury. This is a major injury. How does a player come back from that?… When he comes back right away, assuming he plays that Monday Night opener, do you think we’re getting the full-on Patrick Mahomes in Week 1?”

Kenneth Walker III is fresh off being the Super Bowl MVP, and the AChiefs are hoping he can get the running offense going in a workhorse capacity. Per Jesse Newell of The Athletic, the Chiefs could move on from Brashard Smith, who was a decent RB for them last year.

The Chiefs GM Brett Veach said earlier in the offseason the team’s plan was to run the ball to help Mahomes. However, that doesn’t mean that all RBs were safe, as the report states. Hence, Smith must really impress in OTAs or he will likely be a free agent.

The Chiefs RB depth chart

Walker is the predictable RB1 and workhorse of the team. The Chiefs also drafted Emmett Johnson in the fifth round of the NFL Draft, and signed Emari Demercado. Hence, those latter two are Smith’s competition.

But the depth chart continues, as the Chiefs brought in two UDFAs in EJ Smith, son of legendary RB Emmitt Smith, and Jaydn Ott. One would assume Smith is over them in the pecking order, but the competition is getting tougher and tougher.

The Chiefs have a big task on their hands

While no one argues Patrick Mahomes is elite, a future Hall of Famer, and already an all-time great quarterback, the fact is he is coming off an ACL tear, he doesn’t have great weapons, and the running back is a question mark even if Walker is now on the roster.

Mahomes hasn’t even gotten Pro Bowl selections in the last couple of years. His numbers are very humane as opposed to the outstanding stats he posted in his earlier years. The Chiefs must help him with weapons, protections, and good playcalling.

According to Albert Breer, that’s a potential landing spot for the veteran wide receiver as uncertainty continues surrounding his future with the New England Patriots. “The Chiefs could make sense. The Commanders might, too, since Diggs is from D.C. The Falcons and Rams would also be interesting landing spots.”

The possibility immediately becomes a key topic around the NFL considering the offensive firepower already surrounding Mahomes. If Diggs somehow joined the Chiefs, he would become part of a terrifying offense featuring Travis Kelce, Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and star running back Kenneth Walker III.

Patriots could still prevent Stefon Diggs from joining Chiefs

Even after Patrick Mahomes’ serious knee injury last season, the Chiefs continue aggressively building around their superstar quarterback for another Super Bowl run.

Adding a proven veteran like Diggs could give Andy Reid one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL once again. However, Breer also explained that everything may ultimately depend on whether the Patriots successfully complete their expected trade for A.J. Brown.

“Pessimism, I do think an A.J. Brown trade will happen. I also don’t think, for a variety of reasons, you’ll see Diggs and A.J. Brown together in New England. Now, I believe the Patriots love Diggs, and Diggs would love to return. But any realistic talk about his return, to me, hinges on whether the Brown trade happens. Assuming Brown does become a Patriot, I think Diggs will probably be somewhere in that one-year, $10 million range.”

That scenario could completely reshape the wide receiver market around the league. If the Patriots finalize a blockbuster move for Brown, Diggs would likely become one of the top veteran receivers available for contenders searching for another offensive weapon.

For Kansas City, the fit would certainly make sense. Mahomes has consistently thrived with elite route runners and experienced receivers, while Diggs would immediately benefit from playing inside Andy Reid’s creative offensive system.

At this point, nothing appears imminent. But if the Patriots land Brown, the possibility of Diggs catching passes from Mahomes in Kansas City could suddenly a possibility.

That could take some time, especially since the successful tandem from the Kansas City Chiefs is still active, meaning its win total (including playoffs) could continue to grow. What they could realistically surpass, however, is the duo of Marv Levy and Jim Kelly, who recorded 108 wins together (99 in the regular season and 9 in the playoffs) with the Buffalo Bills.

Since the creation of the Super Bowl in 1966, the NFL has featured highly successful quarterback-coach duos such as Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, as well as Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. This is the list in which both Rodgers and McCarthy, who reunite in Pittsburgh many years after their time together on the Green Bay Packers, will look to continue climbing the rankings.

Rodgers returns to Pittsburgh

According to NFL media, quarterback Aaron Rodgers is returning to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 22nd NFL season after agreeing to terms on a one-year deal worth up to $25 million. The contract is expected to feature a base salary between $22 million and $23 million, with the remaining amount structured through a few million dollars in performance incentives.

Aaron Rodgers looks to build on 2025 success

Heading into his second consecutive year with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Aaron Rodgers is locked in to elevate an offense that leaned heavily on conservative play-calling last season. Despite leading the team to an AFC North title, Rodgers posted a career-low 3,322 passing yards over 16 regular-season games, paired with a modest 24 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.

Reunited with Mike McCarthy—whose system historically pushed the ball much deeper downfield—the 42-year-old signal-caller will look to drastically improve upon his league-worst 6.1-yard average target depth and replicate the aggressive, high-flying aerial attack that once defined their championship years together.