After a long fall from grace, the Kansas City Chiefs are heading into a new era. However, while they are scouting for new additions, a bigger problem is staring them in the face: being nearly $54 million over the salary cap, according to OverTheCap, they stand dead last in the league. With that, they will be looking at Patrick Mahomes’ contract, once again.

Despite the increased salary cap, the Chiefs remain buried under the owed money entering the new season. Rightfully so, the biggest hit comes from their franchise quarterback’s massive $78.2 million due in 2026. However, as most superstar players do, he is also at the top of the list for a restructure.

According to Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap, general manager Brett Veach could free up close to $44.36 million from a restructured contract where his base salary is converted into a signing bonus. The Chiefs could also think of offering him a completely new contract, which would give them a better blueprint for the entirety of the QB’s career.

Mahomes is currently running on his $450 million/10-year contract from 2020. However, he is signed only through 2027 with a potential out option in 2028, where he would carry over $24 million in dead cap. Since that is unlikely to happen, the new contract can also help Mahomes improve his earnings, as his base salary will drop to unrealistic numbers after 2027.

The Chiefs have one of the best rosters across the league, with quality players at almost every position. Furthermore, the franchise has 54 players currently under contract for the 2026 NFL season, which takes them about $52.7 million over a projected $300 million-plus increased cap space. Another major hit to the Chiefs would be defensive tackle Chris Jones’ $44.9 million.

Jones’ situation is a little tricky, though. The DT will be 32 years old in July. With $35 million in guaranteed 2026 salary, he will remain in KC at least one more season. He has already hinted that he wants another season with them, along with tight end Travis Kelce, before the two call it a day.

On one hand, he is a legendary player in the Chiefs Kingdom, and restructuring his deal would mean his longer tenure with the team. However, while restructuring his deal would open $22.5 million for the upcoming season, it could also tie the Chiefs’ hands if they plan on completely moving on from him in 2027. The Chiefs will still have more ways to open up their cap space.

The Chiefs can free upto $109 million in cap space

Apart from Mahomes and Jones, Veach will have more work to do across the roster. For one, guard Trey Smith and center Creed Humphrey may be on the list. The two can potentially help open $12.5 million and $8.9 million for the team next year. But the Chiefs might not want to raise Smith’s 2027 cap number to around $34 million.

Humphrey, meanwhile, will likely be an extension candidate before his contract expires in 2029. If they don’t restructure his deal now, they could have more free will in the future. The team can also use these two options closer to the free agency on March 9, if the need arises. Reportedly, restructuring alone could help the franchise open up $109 million in cap space moving ahead in the offseason.

Along with restructures, the team will, of course, look into other methods to gain more flexibility in their finances, including releases and trades.

Three contracts for KC enter their final seasons with no guarantees, and even more question mark players linger in their locker rooms. These are: right tackle Jawaan Taylor, defensive end Mike Danna, linebacker Drue Tranquill, tight end Noah Gray, cornerback Kristian Fulton, and tackle Jaylon Moore.

• Jawaan Taylor: Many expect the 28-year-old will be released this offseason despite him signing a four-year, $80 million contract in 2023. The reason is obvious: his tendency to draw penalties. Moreover, his health is also becoming a question for the Chiefs. He was listed on most weekly injury reports in the last two seasons with a knee injury before suffering a season-ending elbow injury in November.
  Cutting him could save $20 million in cap space, but also leave about $7.4 million in dead money.
• Mike Danna: The DE’s snap counts plummeted in the latter half of the season for rookie Ashton Gillotte due to his underwhelming performance. It would be a no-brainer to cut him. The Chiefs will save about $8.9 million with this move.
• Drue Tranquill: Although he was included in 85 percent of the team’s total snaps, his production hasn’t been as good. Instead, the Chiefs might want to play 2025 fifth-round selection Jeffrey Bassa or even pick another player, as linebacker is arguably this draft class’s strongest position.
• Noah Gray: The tight end might not be at the top of the list, as cutting him would only help open $4 million. Moreover, he could be more valuable as a later option for other moves during the late offseason.
• Kristian Fulton and Jaylon Moore: The Chiefs are more likely to keep them in place despite the pair freeing about $12 million in cap space. Neither played as expected, but could help to add depth to the roster.

Meanwhile, as Mahomes put in his lowest numbers with completion percentage (62.7 percent), yardage total (3,587 yards), and touchdown numbers (22), these moves would allow the Chiefs to bring in some quality weapons to improve their 6-11 record. The top offseason target? Tyreek Hill.

The former Chiefs wideout was recently released by the Miami Dolphins, a move a veteran ESPN journalist and many others had been pushing for.

Stephen A. Smith, among others, wants the Chiefs to bring back Tyreek Hill

Star wide receiver Tyreek Hill’s tenure in Miami came to an expected end as the Dolphins decided to release the 31-year-old, ahead of the 2026 season. Hill played in South Beach for 54 games while recording 340 receptions, 4,733 receiving yards, and 28 total touchdowns after signing the highest extension for a wide receiver in 2022, worth $120m over four years.

But as he suffered an ACL injury in the 2025 season, the Dolphins released him, making him an unrestricted free agent. With the NFL free agency weeks away, ESPN broadcaster Stephen A. Smith wants the Chiefs to pursue their former star.

“You know what? He should be targeting going back to Kansas City; he should want to go back and play with Patrick Mahomes because he is desperately needed,” Smith said on ESPN’s First Take. “I don’t care that you got (Xavier) Worthy and (Rashee) Rice, they ain’t Tyreek Hill, they’re good, but I’m telling you right now, Tyreek Hill out there is something to behold when healthy.”

Hill had some of his most productive years in a Kansas City jersey after being drafted by the Chiefs in 2016. Since then, the star wideout recorded four 1,000-yard receiving campaigns in Missouri. Subsequently, he won Super Bowl LIV with the Chiefs and was named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team as a punt returner while making eight consecutive Pro Bowls in his career.

EssentiallySports’ own prediction also sees Kansas City as the most favored destination for Hill. Whether a Tyreek Hill reunion is on the cards, only time will tell. But the Chiefs must be quick to take the $44.36 million decision regarding Patrick Mahomes to enter the 2026 season as one of the Super Bowl favorites.