Mahomes: Injury can help me improve

It's difficult to imagine a "new and improved" version of Patrick Mahomes, but the superstar quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs insists that could be the case when the 2021 NFL season kicks off on Sept 9.

Mahomes' 2020 season ended on a sour note when he sustained a painful turf-toe injury in the second round of the playoffs, ahead of a 31-9 loss to Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LX.

Turf toe is the result of severely bending the big toe upwards toward the top of the foot. It's also called hyperextension, and often causes tearing of the ligaments.

Mahomes underwent surgery in late February to repair the damage, and in a media conference call on the weekend said his rehab routine just might make him even better than before.

When asked if the process was a setback in his efforts to improve, the owner of the richest contract in NFL history replied: "You just have to find different ways to get better ...and there are so many things I can improve in my game.

"Being able to kind of restart and start from an injury with the feet, I can really improve my footwork and try to make myself better. I've dealt with ankle injuries in my career and being able to teach myself how to hit the right spots in my feet. Teaching myself how to get back from this injury will help me out in the long run and is something I can really focus on."

The thought of the supremely talented Mahomes being an even better version of himself is a frightening prospect for the rest of the league. Last season the 25-year-old completed a career-high 66.3 percent of his passes for 4,740 yards and 38 touchdowns, with just six interceptions, in leading the Chiefs to their second straight AFC championship.

Mahomes will earn $22.8 million this season, with the 10-year, $455 million contract extension he signed last summer set to start in 2022.

"I think I'm progressing well," Mahomes said. "I think I'm ahead of schedule on my rehab. Obviously, they're trying to be cautious and not push me out there too soon, but I'm doing what I can.

"I've gotten out of the boot finally, and now I'm trying to get back on the field and get that stuff working. I'm sure they'll keep me along that same pathway to where I hopefully can do some on-field stuff by the end of the offseason."

Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns have exercised their option on quarterback Baker Mayfield's rookie contract after his breakout 2020 season.

The team had until May 3 to exercise the option, which means Mayfield, who was the No 1 overall draft pick in 2018, is under contract for 2021 and 2022－and those deals are guaranteed.

The 25-year-old is coming off a career-best 2020 campaign that saw him put up 3,563 yards with 26 touchdowns against eight interceptions en route to leading the Browns to their best single-season performance since 1994. Cleveland beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wild-card round before losing to Mahomes and the Chiefs.

NFL rules mandate that players must accrue three years of service before being eligible for an extension, but by picking up the option the Browns will pay Mayfield $18.86 million this season－the 16th-highest salary among the NFL's 30 starting quarterbacks.