The Kansas City Chiefs were approximately $57 million over the cap, facing a tricky puzzle to untangle before the next season. Their first move was with Patrick Mahomes, whose contract was recently restructured to clear up the salary cap space. Now, Chris Jones could be next in line to follow the quarterback’s footsteps.

According to Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap, the veteran defensive tackle’s contract will be adjusted ahead of the next season.

After the recent changes in Mahomes’ contract, Jones is the highest-paid Chiefs player in the 2026 season with a cap hit of $44.8 million, positioning him as the next favorable choice. Despite freeing up $43.56 million in cap space, the franchise is still over the top by about $11 million.

The veteran DT has been part of the Chiefs for a decade after he was picked in the 2016 NFL Draft. His most recent contract extension was in 2024 when he signed a $158 million deal for five years, making him one of the most expensive defensive players in the league.

After the cap hit of $7.35 million and $23.6 million in the first two seasons, his 2026 season cap hit is slated to be $44.8 million.

News served to you like never before!

Prefer us on Google, To get latest news on feed

Prefer Us on Google

He is expected to restructure his pay this season by at least $11 million or more, meaning the subtracted amount will be added to his cap hit in the final two seasons of his contract.

His cap hit is $38 million in 2027 and the same $44.8 million in 2028, which is projected to be his retirement year, considering he will turn 34.

In case the 31-year-old declines a contract adjustment, the team might offload a top-earning player.

For example, Jawaan Taylor.

This would free up approximately $20 million.

The veteran edge rusher Mike Danna could be another potential option whose 2026 cap hit is just over $11 million.

Meanwhile, the successful renegotiation of the Mahomes-Chiefs contract for next season brought major relief to the general manager, Brett Veach.

Patrick Mahomes’ restructure eases the Chiefs’ over-cap situation to add new players

Patrick Mahomes is the franchise quarterback and considered the linchpin of the Chiefs’ offense, which explains why he gets a substantial part of the salary cap.

The nine-season veteran QB signed a unique ten-year NFL contract with the franchise in 2020, valued at $450 million, making his average annual pay $45 million. The long tenure of his contract gives the Chiefs the flexibility to create salary space, including this season.

For the 2026 season, the 30-year-old star’s cap hit was colossal $78.2 million. However, following the recent restructure, it dropped down to $34.6 million, which was less than double his original cap hit this season.

After reducing approximately $44 million, it will be equally distributed for the next four years into $11 million per year.

On that note, Mahomes’ 2027 cap hit is set to be a massive $85 million, while he will get over $50 million for the next three seasons, and $48 million in the final year with the Chiefs unless he signs a contract extension.

With the four-time Super Bowl Champions not making the playoffs for the first time in over a decade, Andy Reid is looking to overhaul the aging squad by adding some suitable young players from the draft and trade market. The free salary space from the legendary QB’s adjusted deal would play a key role in attaining the desired goal.