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Morning Edition

January 28, 2025

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The Chiefs and Eagles are two of the NFL’s best-run teams. Their Super Bowl rematch is a testament to their talent—but also to ingenious team-building and cap management. We look at how they got here, from pushing salaries as far as 2032 to a discount from a superstar.

— David Rumsey [[link removed]], Colin Salao [[link removed]], and Eric Fisher [[link removed]]

NFL’s Best Bargain? Patrick Mahomes Leading Chiefs’ Dynasty Quest [[link removed]]

Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

It’s no secret that the Chiefs owe much of their success to Patrick Mahomes. But it’s not just the star quarterback’s on-field playmaking ability that has led to Kansas City making its fifth Super Bowl in six seasons and one game away from a historic three-peat [[link removed]].

While Mahomes has the largest contract in the NFL by total value—a 10-year, $450 million deal ( all figures via Spotrac [[link removed]])—his average annual salary of $45 million is tied for 12th among quarterbacks (equal with now-backup Falcons signal-caller Kirk Cousins).

When Mahomes signed his deal in 2020, he became the highest-paid player in the league. But by 2022, he had been surpassed by four other quarterbacks. Right now, Dak Prescott’s $60 million average annual salary is the league’s highest.

Getting a Bargain?

Despite winning two more Super Bowls and a league MVP award since signing his contract, Mahomes hasn’t received a raise. In fact, he’s restructured his deal twice [[link removed]] to help the Chiefs better manage the salary cap.

That helped the Chiefs ink extensions with key players [[link removed]] like tight end Travis Kelce (two years, $34 million) and defensive end Chris Jones (five years, $158 million).

Mahomes could restructure his contract again. This season, his cap hit was $37 million, which is the fourth highest among quarterbacks (Kyler Murray’s $49.1 million was No. 1). For the next three seasons, his cap hits are set to be roughly $66 million, $68 million, and $64 million.

Secret Puzzle Piece

Andy Reid is reported to be the highest-paid coach in the NFL with a $20 million salary [[link removed]]. But Kansas City defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is a key piece of the machine, too.

“As long as they continue to let Spags be our defensive coordinator and not hire him as a head coach, we’re going to continue to win,” Jones said after the AFC championship game victory Sunday.

Spagnuolo received a contract extension last offseason that reportedly pays roughly $5 million per season [[link removed]]. He was the head coach of the Rams from 2009 to 2011 when his team had an 11–41 record.

Howie Roseman’s Salary-Cap Magic Turned Eagles Into a Juggernaut [[link removed]]

Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Howie Roseman got his revenge in 2018. The Eagles GM—who was effectively demoted in 2015 in favor of head coach Chip Kelly—hoisted the Lombardi Trophy two years after Kelly was fired by Philadelphia.

But as the Eagles prepare for their third Super Bowl appearance in the last eight years (including their second in the last three), Roseman’s resurgence is not simply a reclamation story. He has built a juggernaut in Philadelphia, one that has the NFL’s second-best regular-season record over the last three years, behind only the Chiefs, and that should remain competitive for years to come.

Roseman is a salary cap magician who used every possible loophole to ensure sustained success for the Eagles. His favorite trick was the use of void years [[link removed]]—which stretch a player’s cap hit past the seasons included in his contract—to ensure additional cap space in the short term.

Void years can be found in the contracts of many of the team’s stars, including MVP candidate Saquon Barkley, who was signed this offseason. Barkley inked a three-year, $37.75 million deal with void years from 2027 to 2030, which leaves a potential $19.3 million cap hit [[link removed]] for the Eagles in 2027 if he doesn’t re-sign. However, his cap hit this season was just $3.8 million, which allowed them to sign other major free agents, including Defensive Player of the Year nominee Zack Baun [[link removed]].

Roseman also restructured several contracts with veteran players, including cornerback Darius Slay two offseasons ago. The Eagles nearly released the six-time Pro Bowler, but instead gave him a $6 million raise in guaranteed money [[link removed]] and added void years to his deal.

Philadelphia has also hit on its draft picks in recent years, including Jalen Carter (No. 9 in 2023), Quinyon Mitchell (No. 22 in 2024), and Cooper DeJean (a second-round pick—40th overall—in 2024). The latter two are nominated for this season’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Hitting on draft picks gives teams competent players on rookie-scale deals, and allows for flexibility down the line when some stars age out (i.e., Mitchell and DeJean taking over for 34-year-old Slay).

Future Regret?

The risk of stretching out contracts and adding void years is limiting future flexibility. The Eagles were just 19th in the league in cap allocation this year, but already have the largest number every season from 2027 to 2030, per Spotrac [[link removed]].

While this could come back to bite Philadelphia down the line, many of the players it has locked up for multiple years are in their prime. This means their competitive window will likely last beyond this recent three-year stretch. Roseman also has proved he can be shrewd with his roster moves, which may need to include moving on from some stars in the coming years to make space. Lastly, the NFL salary cap has increased by between 7.7% and 14% in each of the last four years. Future years are expected to have additional space.

Ultimately, a Super Bowl win this season may be worth any future pain for the Eagles front office, and give them some leeway against potential criticism from one of the country’s most infamous fan bases.

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Rays Stadium Deal in Trouble: Owner Raises Concerns Over Funding Delays [[link removed]]

Kim Klement-Imagn Images

Where is a seemingly final stadium deal still not a finished deal? At least in St. Petersburg, Fla., where Rays owner Stu Sternberg said Monday the club is still determining whether to move forward with agreements originally struck last summer and reaffirmed late last year for a planned $1.3 billion ballpark.

Following bond measures approved last month by the Pinellas County Commission [[link removed]] and by the St. Petersburg City Council [[link removed]], Sternberg and the Rays have repeatedly raised concerns over perceived delays and resulting cost increases that, in turn, alter the entire funding model of the proposed stadium. The Rays are responsible for $700 million of the base cost, plus all overruns.

Sternberg, who appeared Monday at a high-profile, Tampa-area business event, said he is still uncertain whether the club will proceed with the deal as presently constructed. The Rays have until March 31 to show a series of completed steps that will formally release the public funding for the stadium. If that doesn’t happen, the bonding agreements could collapse.

“We’ll decide how we want to proceed at that point, well before that point,” Sternberg told the Tampa Bay Times [[link removed]]. “We have to make a decision, so we’ll have something by then.

“I will make sure our organization does what’s necessary to meet whatever conditions we need to meet,” he said.

The comments were the first Sternberg has made publicly since the two bond votes, though he did not specify how much additional funding he is seeking. Throughout this long-running stadium saga, his co-presidents, Brian Auld and Matt Silverman, have been the primary spokesmen for the team.

While the drama over a new stadium continues, current facility issues also dog the Rays. The city intends to repair the hurricane-damaged Tropicana Field [[link removed]], but recently told the team it is not strictly obligated to have the renovations done in time for the start of the 2026 season, as intended. In the meantime, the club is playing home games at the Yankees’ spring training facility [[link removed]], George M. Steinbrenner Field, in Tampa.

Sternberg’s comments brought a repeat of prior criticisms from local leaders.

“Sell the team,” tweeted Pinellas County commissioner Chris Latvala [[link removed]].

FOS EXCLUSIVE

ESPN Exploring Bringing Back Michael Smith

After a tumultuous 2019 exit, ESPN is exploring a reunion with Michael Smith, sources tell Front Office Sports senior writer Michael McCarthy. The former SportsCenter cohost is reportedly in discussions with executives about rejoining the network amidst a changing leadership landscape.

Read more on McCarthy’s exclusive report here [[link removed]]. For all of our news and insights on the world of sports media, you can subscribe to the “Tuned In” newsletter [[link removed]].

LOUD AND CLEAR Ain’t No Sunshine

Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images

“We don’t have a relationship.”

—Suns center Jusuf Nurkić told The Arizona Republic [[link removed]] on Saturday about his relationship with head coach Mike Budenholzer. Nurkić, who is in the third year of a four-year, $70 million deal, said he and Budenholzer did not talk for two months. Budenholzer told reporters Saturday that he has had “conversations” with Nurkić [[link removed]] about his role.

The Bosnian center was removed from the starting lineup [[link removed]] along with Bradley Beal on Jan. 6. He was a DNP-CD on Jan. 9 against the Hawks and has not played since, in part due to the flu. Phoenix acquired center Nick Richards from the Hornets via trade on Jan. 15.

Nurkić has been the subject of trade rumors but said he thinks he will be with the team after the Feb. 6 trade deadline. “It’s not easy to get traded when you’re over the second tax apron. Even that, I can’t control,” he said.

FRONT OFFICE SPORTS NETWORK

Unfiltered Access to College Sports

On Next Up, college football analyst Adam Breneman sits down with the most influential names in college sports and lets them tell their stories unfiltered, direct to the fans.

Next Up is a new Front Office Sports Network show featuring candid, open, and honest conversations with the most impactful figures in college sports including head coaches, athletes, athletic directors, commissioners, entrepreneurs, media personalities, agents, and executives shaping the business of college sports.

First episode drops Jan. 30. Follow Next Up on YouTube [[link removed]], Spotify [[link removed]], Apple [[link removed]], Instagram [[link removed]], TikTok [[link removed]], and X [[link removed]].

Conversation Starters Commanders co-owners Mitchell Rales and Mark Ein greeted the team in the locker room after they were eliminated in the NFC championship game. Take a look [[link removed]]. The Eagles are just the second team in NFL history to host three playoff games in one postseason [[link removed]]. Bills wide receiver Mack Hollins arrived at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday dressed as Animal from The Muppets. Check it out [[link removed]]. Editors’ Picks Clues Emerge in Jets’ $49 Million Aaron Rodgers Decision [[link removed]]by Ryan Glasspiegel [[link removed]]Rodgers, 41, would be the oldest quarterback in the NFL. How the Bills and Commanders Got Paid for Playoff Heartbreak [[link removed]]by Margaret Fleming [[link removed]]Losing stings. Money helps. American Football Coaches Association Taps Federal Lobbyists [[link removed]]by Amanda Christovich [[link removed]]Lobbying disclosures noted the groups will be working on NIL issues. Question of the Day

Are you planning to watch Super Bowl LIX between the Chiefs and Eagles?

YES [[link removed]] NO [[link removed]]

Monday’s result: Half of our respondents think it’s a good investment to pay $3 million a year for a coordinator—as opposed to players or facilities.

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