The record-setting contract extension that Patrick Mahomes just negotiated with the Kansas City Chiefs has likely reset the market for all quarterback deals going forward. Those negotiating on behalf of the franchises will cite Mahomes as a unicorn; trying to establish the extension as unique and not the standard. Unfortunately for them, agents won’t be willing to hear that argument.
For one, Mahomes’ extension marks the first player since Dak Prescott in 2024 to ink a deal with over $60 million in average
annual value. While Prescott’s extension came at a time when the Dallas Cowboys had blundered away an astronomical amount of leverage to a player who used every bit of which to land his payday, the situation surrounding Mahomes is more inline with typical circumstances. One $60 million deal is an outlier, the second becomes a trend – establishing the benchmark for elite quarterbacks moving forward.
With the jury still out on Bryce Young’s trajectory, does Mahomes’ new number really have a significant effect on the Carolina Panthers future plans? Yes. Well… probably. In fact, given the person who negotiated the original contract – that being Panthers current Executive Vice President of Football Operations, Brandt Tilis – there might be more bits to glean for the Panthers future plans than for other franchises.
Will the Panthers look to take a similar strategy to the Chief’s? That is, sign their franchise quarterback to a long term deal (Mahomes signed for 10 years back in 2020) and then look to adjust the contract as necessary in future years as the cap and position markets develop over time. The Panthers front office has shown a willingness to be aggressive with their spending and no lack of creativity or aggressiveness. If Young does ascend in the 2026 season as many within the organization expect him to, then nothing is off the table.
As of now, though, Young hasn’t come close to the success Mahomes had prior to his original record contract – so expecting the same cash being offered to Young would be presumptuous at best. That said, if a rising tide lifts all boats, then the significant jump at the top of the quarterback market is probably going to mean the quarterbacks next in line for a payday may be able to afford an extra yacht or two.
With speculation that the middle class of the position is dwindling, leaving most contracts paying out elite-tier money or short term back-up salaries, it could leave the Panthers in a tenuous position. If Young ascends this season then there won’t be much of an issue handing over a hefty contract. But, if Young has another inconsistent and relatively low-production season that doesn’t dispel all doubt on the team’s ceiling with him at the helm the decision makers will be faced with the potential starting over at the position or risking paying a middling quarterback a contract that requires elite production to be justified.
After both Tua Tagovailoa and Kyler Murray signing deals for huge money only to be released from their teams this offseason, the ramifications of falling into that particular trap are well known and clear. With that decision looming, times is running out to make the decision – it’s up to Young to show what he’s capable of and to what heights he’s capable of taking the Panthers to.
