Over the past few years while writing for this lovely site, I’ve heard the following sentiment many, many times:
Rookie quarterbacks and their cheap contracts help teams succeed. Teams with cheap quarterbacks can carry an additional player which they may not have been able to afford with a veteran quarterback. That extra player really helps push teams over the hump.
All this is relevant right now because Patrick Mahomes is the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback and is currently playing on his rookie deal.
But is this actually true? Does having an affordable quarterback on his rookie deal help teams find success in the playoffs?