This is how Patrick Mahomes just stripped Dak Prescott of his NFL crown

Dak Prescott held the title of the NFL’s highest-paid player for less than two years. His four-year, $240 million extension with the Dallas Cowboys in 2024 made him the first quarterback to average $60 million per season, jumping past Joe Burrow, Trevor Lawrence, and Jordan Love.

Patrick Mahomes changed that on Wednesday as he and the Kansas City Chiefs agreed to a reworked deal totaling $504.75 million over eight seasons. The contract pays him over $63 million annually and this jumps him ahead of Prescott, dropping the Cowboys signal-caller to the number two spot.

And this narrative carries a sting for Dallas fans because the man who dethroned Prescott is coming off his worst professional season. Mahomes and Kansas City stumbled to a 6-11 record in 2025, missing the playoffs for the first time in his nine-year career. 

Mahomes posted career lows across multiple categories, throwing for 3,587 yards, 22 touchdowns, and a 63.1% completion percentage in 14 games before a torn ACL ended his year in December.

Still, KC handed their franchise QB a half-billion-dollar payday. Chiefs GM Brett Veach called it a landmark deal for a once-in-a-lifetime player. However, the franchise's decision makes sense given his resume. Prescott has three Pro Bowl selections and a history of postseason struggles with Dallas. Mahomes already has three Super Bowl rings

Before Wednesday, Mahomes' old contract average had fallen to $45 million per year, placing him 13th among all NFL quarterbacks behind players like Trevor Lawrence, Jared Goff and Deshaun Watson. Now, he is locked in through 2033 as the unquestioned top earner at the position. The crown has changed hands, while Prescott has three seasons remaining on his $240 million deal.

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