How did Patrick Mahomes go from $16 million rookie contract in 2017 to $20 million in sponsorship deals in 2023 and $500 million contract in 2026 (Image via Getty: Patrick Mahomes)
The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback first stormed into the league with a rookie contract worth $16 million. Patrick Mahomes ’ financial rise is as fascinating as his transformation from a first-round draft pick into one of the NFL ’s biggest stars. But within a few seasons, his earning power off the gridiron exploded like nobody’s. Except for Tom Brady.
Patrick Mahomes rookie contract set foundation for his financial power
The Kansas City Chiefs picked Patrick Mahomes with their 10th overall pick in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He is currently placed on injured reserve for the 2026 season after attaining a hefty, record-breaking contract with his second-ever team, the Los Angeles Rams. Anyhow, back to the Kansas City star: Patrick Mahomes’ initial four-year, $16 million rookie contract included a $10 million signing bonus, according to NFL Network. He spent most of his rookie season behind Alex Smith before becoming Kansas City’s [permanent] starter in 2018. He won the NFL MVP award and led the Kansas City Chiefs to a Super Bowl win in 2019, ending a 50-year drought. The Chiefs exercised a $24 million option for 2021 in April 2020. Two months later, they awarded Mahomes a massive, blockbuster contract: 10 years, $450 million. But six years later, in June 2026, the Chiefs signed Mahomes to another record-breaking contract: 8 years, $504 million. By 2019, Mahomes had already landed an endorsement deal with Oakley. Forbes estimated that Mahomes earned $20 million from sponsorship deals in 2023, placing him second only to legendary New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady among NFL athletes in sponsorship income at the time. Within three years, Mahomes’ sponsorship earnings skyrocketed from $20 million to $30 million. Forbes estimates Mahomes makes $30 million from sponsorship deals in 2026. In 2020, he agreed to a 10-year extension with the Kansas City Chiefs, initially reported at $450 million but later reached $503 million. Kansas City later reworked the agreement, and in June 2026, the Chiefs added two more years to his existing contract. The restructured contract is valued at $504 million, with incentives potentially taking it to $529 million [$25 million in incentives]. The new money keeps him locked in Kansas City through 2033. From a roughly $16 million rookie deal to tens of millions in annual sponsorship income and a contract worth more than half a billion dollars, Mahomes has built one of the most powerful financial landscapes in professional sports.
He was not the first overall pick; Myles Garrett was. In his very first season as a starter, he found massive success. His immediate success changed his financial landscape overnight. Then came several adjustments to his hefty contract depending on roster requirements. With massive contracts and three Super Bowl wins in the bag, Mahomes quickly became popular away from the gridiron. His gridiron success quickly translated into a powerful marketing profile. Patrick Mahomes’ attractive appeal flew beyond football. He developed a prominent personality and became closely associated with Kansas City. This made him attractive to national brands seeking NFL stars with athletic credibility and mainstream appeal. After that, partnerships with famous brands including Adidas , Head & Shoulders, Bose, State Farm, DIRECTV, Essential Water, Biosteel, and Hy-Vee followed. That figure shows how drastically Mahomes’ commercial value grew in just a few years. His endorsement portfolio currently includes Adidas, State Farm, Oakley, Prime Hydration, Throne Sport Coffee, WHOOP, Hublot, Hugo Boss, Subway, Coors Light, Frito-Lay, Nestle, T-Mobile, DraftKings, Airshare, CommunityAmerica Credit Union, Panini, and EA Sports. The estimated off-gridiron earnings come from corporate endorsements, memorabilia, licensing, and media production, for example, his Sports Emmy-winning executive producer work on Netflix’s Quarterback series. Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines Mahomes’ playing career eventually produced an equally major financial boost.
And look at the former Cleveland Browns defensive end’s trajectory today.
His rare combination of elite performance, championships, personality, and cautiously selected brand partnerships has made him far more than a highly paid quarterback – it has made him a global sports marketing asset. Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.