Los Angeles Chargers: Patrick Mahomes extension is bad news for the franchise
By Nick Ziegler
With the recent news that Patrick Mahomes will be signing a 10-year extension with the Kansas City Chiefs, the Los Angeles Chargers could be in trouble.
As we wait for training camps to get going in the NFL, recent NFL news isn’t good for the Los Angeles Chargers. Despite not many signings occurring right now, the Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes were able to agree on a massive deal.
Patrick Mahomes signed a 10-year, $450 million extension that could be worth up to $503 million, per sources. The extension includes a $141.48 million injury guarantee, as well as a no-trade clause. It marks the first time an NFL player has had sports’ most lucrative deal. pic.twitter.com/kohX8rFSFN
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 7, 2020
This is easily the biggest contract that we have seen in the NFL and could change the league forever. While 10 years is a long time, a talent like Patrick Mahomes doesn’t come around very often.
Mahomes is just 24-years-old, and already has a Super Bowl, and Super Bowl MVP, and a regular-season MVP. Winning and being as dominant as Mahomes is doesn’t happen very often, and the Chiefs were wise to lock him up.
After beating the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl, the Chiefs are now looking to make this a dynasty and not a one-hit-wonder. With Tom Brady leaving the Patriots, that dynasty could very well be over unless Bill Belichick can get Cam Newton back to MVP form.
However, for the Chargers, the signing of Patrick Mahomes is something that the franchise can’t be excited to see. Now, the Chargers will have to deal with arguably the best quarterback in the NFL for a decade. As we have seen when Tom Brady was in his prime with the Patriots, it wasn’t a lot of fun for the rest of the AFC East.
Those teams were built trying to figure out a way to dethrone the Patriots, and none of them ever will with any consistency. Now, the Chargers will find themselves in the same boat.
Over the past few seasons, we have seen the Chargers build a very young and talented defense. Having a good secondary and a good pass-rush is the best way to slow down a great quarterback.
However, for the Chargers to be a consistent threat to beat the Chiefs, they are going to have to have a franchise quarterback of their own. In the 2020 NFL Draft, the Chargers used the sixth overall pick on Justin Herbert. The hope is that Herbert can be that guy moving forward for the Chargers.
Next. 5 Burning questions for the Chargers on offense. dark
Due to the historic signing of Mahomes, they will have to make a lot of moves in the next few years trying to figure out the best way to beat him and the Chiefs.