The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, made headlines this week by securing the largest contract in NFL history, totaling $504.75 million over eight years. This deal elevates Mahomes to the status of the highest-paid player in NFL history with an average of $63.09 million per year. However, despite this monumental achievement, Mahomes is not expected to be the first NFL player to reach $500 million in career earnings.

Matthew Stafford, quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams, stands as a strong contender to hit the $500 million mark first. With $408 million in earnings over his 17-year career, Stafford is the only player to surpass the $400 million threshold. He recently signed a one-year, $55 million extension, positioning him to potentially cross the $500 million line by 2027 if he continues to play.

Key points regarding Stafford’s earnings include:

• Drafted in 2009, Stafford signed a lucrative six-year, $72 million rookie deal prior to the implementation of the rookie wage scale.
• He earned $219 million during his 12 seasons with the Detroit Lions before moving to the Rams.
• His recent four-year, $160 million extension came after leading the Rams to a Super Bowl victory.

In contrast, Mahomes has accumulated $231.9 million since entering the league in 2017, ranking 15th all-time in NFL earnings. While he is expected to add at least $55 million to his total by 2026, several other players, including Dak Prescott and Aaron Rodgers, are on the brink of significant earnings that could lead them to the $500 million milestone.

As it stands, while Mahomes holds the record for the largest contract, he might not be the first to reach the $500 million career earnings mark, with Stafford leading the charge.