NFL insider reacts to Patrick Mahomes new extension: ‘The ultimate reward’

The Kansas City Chiefs turned Patrick Mahomes into the NFL’s first $500 million talent. Reactions sprouted after the signed deal. Including one league insider calling it “the ultimate reward.”

ESPN sounded off on the deal via NFL Live. Former league executive turned insider Louis Riddick raved about Mahomes’ newest extension.

“It’s the ultimate reward,” the former Philadelphia Eagles personnel executive said. “Especially for a guy who, since day one when he got drafted down there, they knew they had something special.”

Chiefs fans recall moving up in the NFL Draft to take Mahomes despite becoming a playoff contender with Alex Smith. Mahomes even emerged as the second quarterback taken of that 2017 class. The Chicago Bears grabbed Mitchell Trubisky at No. 2 as the first quarterback taken. Trubisky since has become a league journeyman.

“We’re not just talking about his physical skills. We’re talking about the person overall as well,” Riddick said. “They love absolutely everything about him.”

Riddick then went into insider mode to deliver this rehab nugget as Mahomes returns from a torn ACL in Dec. 2025.

“I’ve been told he’s been knocking his rehab out of the park,” Riddick said.

The crew reacts to Patrick Mahomes' record-breaking contract with the Chiefs, the first contract in NFL history over half a billion dollars pic.twitter.com/oeb96xP2jg

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) June 10, 2026

Mahomes and the Chiefs have reworked the same deal three different times. Except he receives a $64 million bump through this two-year extension.

Kansas City will turn to Mahomes to reignite Super Bowl chatter. He previously guided the franchise to three straight AFC titles including winning consecutive Vince Lombardi Trophies in 2022 and 2023. The Chiefs endured their worst season with Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid last season at 6-11 overall.

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