After a dominant run where they appeared in five out of six Super Bowls, the Kansas City Chiefs are entering a period that feels completely foreign to them. The 2025 season was a disaster by their standards, ending with a 6-11 record and no playoff appearance. For the first time since they moved up to draft quarterback Patrick Mahomes in 2017, the team finds itself with a top-10 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. So, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid is now tasked with navigating the most difficult rebuild of his tenure.

To spark a turnaround, he recently brought back a familiar face, officially hiring Eric Bieniemy as the team’s offensive coordinator for the 2026 season. But even with Bieniemy back calling the shots, the road to contention is cluttered with massive obstacles. The biggest question mark ruining their offensive whiteboard surrounds the health of their superstar signal-caller. Patrick Mahomes is currently rehabbing a torn ACL and LCL, and there is no guarantee he will be ready for Week 1. Plus, the team’s finances are tight.

“It is a little bit of a math problem for the Kansas City Chiefs,” Ian Rapoport reported. “It gives you an understanding of why it’s challenging, say a month for them to get under the cap and do some work. So that’s the bet. That’s the list you don’t wanna be on.”

Even if Mahomes returns on time, the offense may look very different, as future Hall of Fame tight end Travis Kelce is weighing retirement. Plus, the franchise may not be able to afford the supporting cast Mahomes is used to having around him.

Financially, the Chiefs are in a black hole heading into the spring. They currently have the worst salary cap situation in the NFL, sitting roughly $54 million over the limit. Before Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach can even think about adding new talent in free agency this March, he has to find a way to trim massive amounts from the payroll.

The most logical escape route involves Mahomes’ massive 10-year, $450 million contract. By restructuring his deal and converting his base salary into signing bonuses, the front office could instantly create over $35 million in spending room. It’s a move they’ve made before, but with the roster aging and injury concerns mounting, this offseason presents a unique test.

What else can the Chiefs do?

Moving on from right tackle Jawaan Taylor might be one way. While he has been useful, the penalty problem can’t be ignored. The penalties have been wreck rhythm, stalled drives, and left the franchise stuck in long-yardage situations.

While the player alone isn’t responsible for things that went wrong last season, he sure didn’t make things any easier. Patience has been running thin.

In 2026, the player will carry a $26.9 million cap hit. If the team decides to move on, it would save $19.5 million, pushing the Kansas City Chiefs to roughly $35.4 million over the cap. That amount won’t solve everything, but it would count. They could save another $8.8 million in cap relief if they decided to let go of defensive end Mike Danna. Similarly, getting rid of linebacker Drue Tranquill would mean freeing up an additional $5.8 million.

Letting Tranquill go would sting, however. He has been a part of their core defense and just matched his career high in tackles for loss. But in the wake of cap realities, such a decision isn’t out of scope.

While the franchise will have to make a decision soon, its star QB has been dealing with his own demons.

Patrick Mahomes’s name ranks low on the list of MVP 2026 candidates 

Compounding the physical and financial stress, Mahomes is also facing skepticism from oddsmakers regarding his 2026 outlook. According to reports by journalist Alex Brasky, Mahomes is currently ranked surprisingly low on the early list of MVP candidates. The Chiefs quarterback is tied for fifth place at +1100, sitting just ahead of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is currently the frontrunner for the award at +600. He is followed closely by Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. While it is still very early, the gap shows that experts are worried about Mahomes’ ability to recover quickly and reclaim his elite form.

He is dealing with a serious multi-ligament knee injury that often takes players nearly a year to overcome. Despite the skepticism, Mahomes has stayed positive about his recovery since having surgery in December.

“I want to be ready for Week 1,” Mahomes said in January. “The doctors said I could, but I can’t predict what happens throughout the process.”

The star quarterback made it clear that his ultimate goal is to play in the season opener without any physical restrictions.

“You want to be out there healthy and give us the best chance to win,” Mahomes added. “I hope to do some things in OTAs and training camp and be able to do things there.”

Mahomes noted that his rehabilitation with the training staff has been on schedule so far, giving him extra confidence for the upcoming year. However, the clock is ticking for Reid and the front office to fix the financial deficit before the new league year opens in mid-March. How they navigate Mahomes’ contract restructure in the coming weeks will define the entire trajectory of this crucial rebuild.