when patrick mahomes inked his historic 10-year, $450 million contract extension with the kansas city chiefs back in 2020, the nfl world was in awe. it was the largest contract in american sports history at the time, solidifying mahomes not only as the face of the franchise but as one of the league’s cornerstone superstars. but now, five years into the deal, some fans and analysts are starting to wonder: does mahomes regret signing such a long-term contract?
at face value, the numbers don’t lie—mahomes is still among the nfl’s elite. he’s brought the chiefs to multiple super bowls, won three of them (as of 2025), and continues to redefine the quarterback position with his incredible playmaking ability. but football isn’t just about stats and trophies. behind the scenes, cracks have started to show, particularly in the chiefs’ ability to surround mahomes with top-tier talent due to salary cap constraints.
the financial dilemma
one of the key criticisms of mahomes’ contract is how team-friendly it actually is. while it looked massive at the time, quarterback contracts have since exploded. joe burrow, lamar jackson, jalen hurts, and justin herbert all signed deals with higher annual averages than mahomes. and while mahomes restructured parts of his deal in 2023 to bring some money forward, he remains underpaid relative to his performance and influence.
this has led to some speculation: did mahomes sell himself short? did loyalty to kansas city cost him tens of millions?
many believe the answer is yes. the chiefs have benefited immensely from mahomes’ humility and willingness to prioritize team success over personal earnings. but in return, have they done enough to support him with elite weapons?
loss of offensive firepower
when tyreek hill was traded to the miami dolphins in 2022 due to contract disputes, it was a turning point. mahomes managed to win a super bowl without hill, which was a testament to his greatness. but the offense hasn’t been quite the same since. in 2024, the chiefs’ wide receiver corps struggled with drops and inconsistency. even travis kelce, mahomes’ longtime go-to target, showed signs of slowing down.
without reliable wideouts and a strong offensive line, mahomes has been forced to carry more of the load—often under immense pressure and with fewer tools than his quarterback peers. that lack of support raises a question: is he regretting tying himself to a franchise that may not always prioritize elite offensive reinforcements?
constant restructuring
to be fair to the chiefs’ front office, they’ve been in a constant balancing act—trying to keep the roster competitive while managing the cap. mahomes has been part of that effort, regularly restructuring his deal to create space. but each restructure adds more complexity and future cap implications, all while pushing mahomes further into a long-term deal he may not be thrilled with anymore.
this constant financial juggling might make any quarterback think twice. being team-friendly is admirable, but at what point does it start to feel like a burden?
growing frustration?
publicly, mahomes has never expressed dissatisfaction. he’s professional, composed, and fiercely loyal to andy reid and the kansas city organization. but there have been subtle signs of frustration. in some postgame press conferences, he’s made pointed comments about execution and preparation. while he always shoulders the blame himself, some analysts believe these statements are coded messages about the lack of support around him.
in the 2024 afc championship game, for example, the chiefs’ offense sputtered under pressure, and mahomes looked visibly frustrated with his receivers’ inability to get open or hold onto the ball. while he didn’t name names, his demeanor spoke volumes.
loyalty vs legacy
mahomes is already a future hall of famer. but the nfl is a what-have-you-done-lately league. if the chiefs continue to regress offensively and struggle to support their franchise quarterback, there could be long-term consequences to mahomes’ legacy. fans and media alike will wonder if he could’ve achieved even more with another team—or with a shorter, more flexible contract.
some argue that had he signed a 4- or 5-year deal instead of a 10-year pact, he would’ve had the chance to reevaluate his options, demand more money, or even explore free agency. instead, he’s locked in—both in commitment and cap structure—until 2031.
the bottom line
so, does patrick mahomes regret his contract with the kansas city chiefs?
it’s complicated.
he likely doesn’t regret committing to a team and city he loves. he’s built a legacy, won multiple super bowls, and become a global superstar. but in the evolving landscape of the nfl—where quarterbacks like kirk cousins and dak prescott have made more by betting on short-term deals—there’s reason to believe mahomes may feel a bit boxed in.
as the chiefs move forward, the pressure is on the front office to keep the window open and ensure their quarterback isn’t left wondering “what if?” if they fail to do so, then yes—regret might start to creep in, even for someone as poised and positive as patrick mahomes.
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