The Kansas City Chiefs have signed quarterback Patrick Mahomes to his four-year rookie contract worth a fully guaranteed $16.4 million along with a $10 million signing bonus. According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the Chiefs will hold an option for the fifth year, just like all contracts signed by first-round picks. The Chiefs moved up to No. 10 by trading the No. 27 pick, the No. 91 pick and their 2018 first-round pick to the Buffalo Bills to get Mahomes, who was tabbed to become Alex Smith’s heir apparent.
With Mahomes’ signing, all of the Chiefs’ six picks from the 2017 NFL Draft are now under contract, including defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon, running back Kareem Hunt, wide receiver Jehu Chesson, linebacker Ukeme Eligwe and safety Leon McQuay III.Earlier, the other quarterbacks who were taken in the first round -- No.
2 overall pick Mitch Trubisky of the Chicago Bears and Deshaun Watson of the Houston Texans (No. 12) -- have signed their rookie contracts.
With the development, the first-round picks who have yet to sign their rookie deals are 49ers defensive lineman Solomon Thomas (No. 3), Titans wideout Corey Davis (No. 5), Raiders cornerback Gareon Conley (No. 24) and Browns safety Jabrill Peppers (No. 25).
Mahomes to replace Alex Smith in 2018
Smith is expected to start for the Chiefs in the coming season but he will play out the remaining year on his contract and will not return in 2018. Smith will also use his last season with the Chiefs to teach Mahomes the ropes of the game. Smith has a 41-20 record as the Chiefs starter for the last four years, but he will not return due to financial issues.
The Chiefs will save $17 million by releasing Smith next year.
Mahomes boasts of a strong arm with a 41-10 touchdown-to-interception ratio in 2016, but Chiefs coach Andy Reid said he is not ready to play and needs more time to develop and learn the team’s system. In his three years at Texas Tech, Mahomes threw for 11,252 yards and 93 touchdowns with 29 interceptions, completing 857 of 1,349 passes for a 63.5 percent passing rate.
Chiefs hire new general manager
The Chiefs recently named Brett Veach as their new general manager, replacing John Dorsey, who was fired last month after four seasons. Before he was appointed GM, Veach was the Chiefs' co-director of player personnel. Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said Veach had a sharp football mind and a tremendous work ethic and praised his keen eye for finding talent. Veach has worked closely with Reid during his coaching tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles.
