Patrick Mahomes is taking one for the team in 2026. The Kansas City Chiefs’ star quarterback will be earning significantly less money than he was supposed to next season. The three-time Super Bowl champion is preparing to play his 10th season in the NFL.
In 2023, the former Texas Tech quarterback agreed to a contract that would pay him $210.6 million. At the time, that was the most money paid to a player in NFL history. However, his 2026 net pay will be much less than what was originally promised to him.
Patrick Mahomes is set to lose about $35 million in 2026
The word restructuring is a common one Patrick has heard throughout his days in the NFL. The Chiefs have done that to his salary numerous times before and will again in 2026. The two-time league MVP will see $54.45 million of his pay converted into a signing bonus for this upcoming season. Per Over the Cap, it means that his cap in 2026 will drop from $78.2 million to $34.65 million next season. Forbes previously valued Patrick’s 10-year contract with the team at $450 million.
Despite what one might think, the move has nothing to do with his or the Chiefs’ performance in 2025. They missed the playoffs for the first time since Patrick became the starting quarterback, finishing with a record of 6-11. The restructuring is to provide the organization with more financial flexibility.
Moving that money will open up $43.56 million worth of cap space for them. In mid-December, Patrick tore his ACL and LCL, missing the rest of the season as a result. He said in January that he was “hitting all the checkpoints” his doctor instructed him to do as part of his recovery.
There’s still no word if Patrick’s longtime offensive partner in crime, Travis Kelce, will be with him in 2026. The tight end’s contract is due to expire when free agency begins next month. While he won’t be earning as much as he thought next year, there’s no reason to feel too bad for the Chiefs quarterback. In 2027, his salary cap is set to balloon up to $85 million.
TELL US – HAS PATRICK MAHOMES EARNED THE SALARY BEING PAID TO HIM?
