The first week of June brought about a wave of developments in the NFL. Things remained busy around the league over the next few days with the end of offseason programs drawing near. In case you missed any of this week’s top stories, here is a quick recap:
- Mahomes Lands New Chiefs Megadeal: Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs worked out a 10-year extension in 2020. That pact remained an outlier in terms of length, but several quarterbacks surpassed him in terms of average annual value. Another massive contract has now been finalized, with the three-time Super Bowl MVP in line to collect over $500MM between now and 2033. Mahomes is entering his age-31 season and is recovering from the major knee injury (including an ACL tear) which ended his 2025 campaign. The Chiefs are certainly confident a full recovery can take place; the team has made a record-breaking upfront commitment in terms of guarantees (over $230MM) and in overall AAV ($63.1MM). A new QB benchmark has been set.
- Broncos Extend Payton: Earlier this offseason, the Broncos expectedly agreed to an extension with general manager George Paton. Head coach Sean Payton now has a deal of his own in place. He and Paton are each under contract through 2030 as a result. Denver finished atop the AFC standings in 2025, Payton’s third season at the helm. That marked a second straight playoff appearance, and expectations will remain high for years to come after the team hosted the AFC title game. Payton, 62, will not call plays on offense in 2026, although his role in continuing the development of quarterback Bo Nix will be key. The Broncos endured an eight-year playoff drought after their latest Super Bowl victory, but the team will hope to maintain a foundation for sustained success with the Payton-Paton partnership in place for the foreseeable future.
- Sorsby In Line To Retain NCAA Eligibility: Many expected quarterback Brendan Sorsby to fall short in his efforts to apply for NCAA reinstatement following an admission to gambling earlier in his college career. However, an injunction has been granted in this case, paving the way for Sorsby to play for Texas Tech in 2026. The NCAA has issued an appeal, so finality regarding Sorsby’s future remains to be seen. As things currently stand, though, he will not be required to enter the NFL this summer via the supplemental draft. Sorsby is seen by numerous evaluators as a first-round prospect in terms of on-field ability, but the willingness of NFL teams to bring him into the fold figures to remain a talking point leading up to the time when he attempts to turn pro (whenever that comes).
- Dolphins, Brewer Agree To Extension: The Dolphins have been busy in terms of moving on from several veterans this spring, but Aaron Brewer was known to be the target for a new deal. An extension has, to little surprise, been worked out between team and player. Brewer earned second-team All-Pro acclaim in 2025, cementing his status as an anchor up front for Miami and one of the league’s top centers. That success has now resulted in a three-year extension including $37MM in guarantees. In terms of average annual value ($17.5MM), Brewer sits third in the pecking order among centers. If he can maintain his level of play from last season over the next few years, the Dolphins’ interior along the O-line could become a strong point as the team rebuilds.
- Panthers Extend Coker: Since entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent, Jalen Coker has proven to be an impactful figure for the Panthers. He was on course to enter the 2027 offseason as an exclusive rights free agent, but a long-term Carolina deal has been finalized instead. Coker has agreed to a three-year deal with a base value of $35MM. The pact could top out at $41MM, an indication of how the 24-year-old figures to remain an important contributor in the passing game in 2026 and beyond. Coker has totaled 872 yards and five touchdowns during two Carolina seasons to date, and both figures can be expected to increase by a wide margin over the course of this new deal.