Patrick Mahomes’ record-breaking extension just gave the Bears the absolute worst news ahead of contract talks with Caleb Williams
The Chicago Bears have started laying the foundation for a contract extensions with quarterback Caleb Williams and those plans just got shaken up in a big way by Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Earlier this offseason, Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles confirmed that the front office has started laying the foundation for a massive contract extension with quarterback Caleb Williams, who’s eligible for a new deal after the 2026 season.
The Bears have plenty of time to work out a new deal with Williams. He’s still under contract for two more seasons on his rookie deal, plus having the fifth-year option to exercise for the 2028 season. However, it sounds like the Bears plan to follow a similar path previous teams took with recent first overall quarterbacks by landing a big extension as early as possible.
“That’s a great thing to be on that path,” Poles explained. “I feel like we have a long-term quarterback solution. It makes me excited.”
What doesn’t excite the Bears’ front office is the expected price tag on Williams’ eventual extension, and that price just went up due to something out of Chicago’s control.
Patrick Mahomes’ latest extension just made things even more complicated for the Chicago Bears
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Kansas City Chiefs just agreed to another record-breaking contract with superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes, one that just obliterated the quarterback market.
Mahomes’ contract now has a total value of $504.75 million from 2026-33, with the first four years being guaranteed at signing. Starting in 2027, the deal will average $64 million per year, setting a new NFL record for average annual value.
It’s a massive extension for a player that deserves to be the highest-paid player in football once again. It’s also a deal that will lead to numerous headaches for other teams in the NFL. Just look at the average per year discrepancy between Mahomes’ new deal and other top quarterbacks in the league once it kicks in.
- Patrick Mahomes: $64 million per year
- Dak Prescott: $60 million per year
- Matthew Stafford: $55 million per year
- Trevor Lawrence: $55 million per year
- Jordan Love: $55 million per year
- Josh Allen: $55 million per year
- Joe Burrow: $55 million per year
Barring any other extension with top quarterbacks on existing deals, Williams will be the next quarterback in line for a blockbuster extension. Yesterday, there was a possibly Williams’ deal could be record-breaking at $60+ million per year. Today, it’s hard to see a world in which Williams surpasses Mahomes. If so, it would be an astronomical deal.
Caleb Williams is becoming the face of the NFL and the Bears better be prepared to pay him like it
Williams is just two years into his NFL career and has much to improve upon before being viewed as one of the top quarterbacks in the league. The Bears certainly see that potential and the national media does as well considering Williams was recently named the cover athlete of Madden NFL 27. Williams, himself, believes he can be the best ever.
“This is a guy that’s grown up in this,” Bears head coach Ben Johnson said of Williams. “He’s been a five-star recruit, he’s won a Heisman. I think he knows how to handle attention. You come to a big city like Chicago, a place that loves their sports and loves the Bears, I think this is what he’s built for.”
If the Bears view Williams as one of the best in the league and he proves it on the field this upcoming season, they better be prepared to pay him like it because the bar just shot through the roof.