Chiefs just made an expected Patrick Mahomes move to completely change the outlook of the offseason and their role during free agency
The Chiefs have more restructures and cuts to make.
Many thought the Kansas City Chiefs would be doomed by their cap situation, but the front office quickly proved there is a way to retool for next season. Coming into the offseason, the Chiefs were over the cap by around $50 million.
After one move, they’re still over the salary cap, and other moves are still to come. Even if they didn’t want to be players in free agency, this move had to be made to get the team close to salary cap compliance when the new league year begins in March.
The Chiefs and superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes have agreed to restructure his contract, freeing up $45 million in cap space. As a result, Mahomes’ salary cap hit for this season drops from $78.2 million to $34.65 million, according to Over The Cap.
This is only the beginning for the Chiefs. Their roster this time last year will look very different from the one that takes the field in Week 1 for the 2026 season, and that’s not just because of the 2026 NFL Draft. Some players will have to be let go.
The Chiefs are just getting started with their offseason moves
Free agency is right around the corner. This move to reconstruct Mahomes was expected and executed with the stroke of a pen, with No. 15 agreeing to restructure his contract annually upon signing, given its unique structure. Now, the Chiefs have to make other moves to create even more cap space, so that signing guys in free agency like Seattle Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker, for example, is even possible.
Next, they can make simple restructures with players expected to be here long-term, like defensive tackle Chris Jones, defensive end George Karlaftis, center Creed Humphrey, and right guard Trey Smith. Depending on the percentages of base salary converted, those three moves could get Kansas City back into positive salary cap space.
They can also make moves to cut offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor and defensive end Mike Danna. Those two alone would create about $29 million in cap space, bringing the Chiefs into the green with about $19 million in salary cap space. Linebacker Drue Tranquill and tight end Noah Gray are possible cap casualties as well, although perhaps not as likely as the other two.
Not to mention, the Chiefs could end up trading star cornerback Trent McDuffie to free up some space. He’s due a fully guaranteed salary in 2026 on his fifth-year option.
There are a ton of things the Chiefs can do to get the available money needed to be players in free agency. This move with Mahomes, their ultimate leader, just showed the rest of the team what he’s willing to do to get the dynasty back on track.
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