The NFL season is quickly approaching, and with the offseason dwindling down, teams are trying to finalize their training camp rosters while also trying to extend or rework deals for their current players.
This week saw a lot of those deals transpire. Let’s take a look at some of the notable ones from around the league.
Chiefs Give Out Largest NFL Contract
Sometimes it pays to be the best at your craft. For Patrick Mahomes, that payment is in excess of $500 million. The 24-year-old quarterback and the Kansas City Chiefs have agreed to a contract extension for 10 years and over $500 million.
This contract is now the largest contract in U.S. sports. The previous record was Mike Trout’s 12-year, $427 million deal, but Mahomes has shattered it.
Interestingly, the contract also holds new verbiage as it includes “guarantee mechanisms.” Basically, the Chiefs have to give advanced notice of guaranteeing the next season’s contract; otherwise, Mahomes could become a free agent.
Don’t expect that to happen anytime soon, though. After winning the Super Bowl last season, Mahomes and the Chiefs are favorites to repeat (+650 according to FanDuel). Furthermore, Mahomes is +380 to win the MVP.
Even Andy Reid is willing to enjoy the ride with Mahomes. The Kansas City Star’s Herbie Teope reported Reid’s comments that he would embrace coaching into his 70s. Given that he is currently 62, this would indicate that he would be very willing to coach the Chiefs for the duration that Mahomes is QB.
After a season where he only played 14 regular-season games but still threw for 4,031 yards and 26 touchdowns (while only throwing five interceptions), we can’t blame Reid for wanting to stick with Mahomes.
Browns, Vernon Agree To New Deal
According to Field Yates of ESPN, it appears that Olivier Vernon and the Browns have a new deal in place. The new deal guarantees $11 million while adding a couple more in incentives.
Last season, with the Browns, Vernon had 26 tackles, 3.5 sacks and one forced fumble. While Cleveland had been tied to Jadeveon Clowney, it appears now that they will be content with what they have in Vernon for the upcoming season.
Given that there is a no-tag clause in the new deal (according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com), it is likely that Vernon will be hitting the open market at season’s end.
For the Browns, they currently sit at +3400 to win the Super Bowl.
Burkhead Reworks Deal
Sometimes, in the NFL, players are willing to take a pay cut if it means assurances that they will make a particular roster. In the case of Rex Burkhead, it appears that is exactly what has transpired.
According to Field Yates of ESPN, the New England Patriots’ running back has taken a pay cut from $2.5 million to just over one million dollars (with a signing bonus).
It is a win-win for the team and the player. For the Patriots, they gain almost an extra million dollars in salary cap space, while for Burkhead, he is likely assured a spot on the roster.
Last season, for New England, Burkhead played in 13 games accumulating 65 rushing attempts for 302 yards and three touchdowns. He also had 27 receptions for 279 yards.
Even though they will be experiencing their first season in quite some time without Tom Brady under center, the Patriots still are tied for the sixth-best odds to win the Super Bowl at +1700 (tied with Dallas). If they are to make it there, it appears that Burkhead will at least be a small part of the equation.
