Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes' new contract "required enduringly strong relationships" between himself, GM Brett Veach and Steinberg Sports & Entertainment President & COO Chris Cabott, Mahomes’ lead agent, according to Sam Mellinger of the K.C. STAR. Mahomes "established quick and deep trust with Cabott," as he and his family "liked the combination of Cabott’s energy and conviction with the legacy and track record of Leigh Steinberg." The Chiefs have "discussed and prepared for this extension since the day they drafted Mahomes three years ago," structuring other contracts to "allow for Mahomes’ payday." Veach said, "It was unique in the sense there was never a sense of, 'We need to win this, or we have to win this.' This was, 'How can we get this done?'" Mellinger notes Mahomes is "genuinely happy" in K.C., a city he had not lived in before being drafted there. Now, he has a "chance to be the centerpiece of the league’s next dynasty." Still, both sides have "sought protections." Enter "'guarantee mechanisms' -- basically a series of rolling club options, where the team must guarantee all bonuses and salary one or two years in advance by the third day of the league year." These have been "used in some contracts before, but never on this scale." Mahomes said, "The biggest thing to me was those guarantee mechanisms and the later years in the contract. Those were the deal-sealers to me" (K.C. STAR, 7/8).
IN THE DETAILS: Mahomes said that he is "mindful of how he can further exert his charitable efforts and influence not only in the Kansas City community but 'hopefully around the world.'" In K.C., Vahe Gregorian reports during negotiations, Mahomes "wanted reassurance about one point in particular" -- the status of Chiefs coach Andy Reid, who is 62. Reassured that Reid had "no thoughts of 'retiring any time soon,' and perhaps could be around for the long haul until he's 74, Mahomes was all the more eager to commit himself to an organization and culture he trusts in a city he has come to love and where he wants to leave a distinct legacy" (K.C. STAR, 7/8). Also in K.C., Herbie Teope reports wheels were "set in motion during the NFL’s free agency period in 2018, Veach’s first experience with player signings in the role of general manager for Kansas City’s storied franchise" (K.C. STAR, 7/8).
ENOUGH TO GO AROUND: In Minneapolis, Jim Souhan writes Mahomes' deal is a "reminder that there is enough money in sports to pay for anything that sports owners want." Souhan: "Coronavirus tests. Lost seasons. Games played in empty stadiums. Free agents. The measure of any large sports contract is not whether the owner can afford it, but whether it makes sense within the salary and payroll structure of that team and league" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 7/8).
