Just 24 hours ago, we predicted that the Kansas City Chiefs may very well pace themselves to re-negotiate the contract of their franchise quarterback, Patrick Mahomes. There’s legit salary cap troubles, and turns out, we nearly hit the nail on the head on that front, off by about $10 million. The latest we now have is an official update on what that restructuring would look like on paper. Check it out.

The Kansas City Chiefs have restructured $54.45 million of Mahomes’ 2026 salary into a signing bonus. Before this, the QB’s $78.2 million due this year was the biggest hit for the team. Now, his salary cap reduces to $34.65 million for 2026, opening up $43.56 million in cap room for KC. Interestingly, they had another option by offering him a new contract.

With an entirely new contract, the Chiefs could have also planned a better blueprint until Patrick Mahomes‘ retirement. He is already a top candidate to get another extension. While Mahomes is technically signed through 2027, this restructure significantly increases the financial penalty if the team were to part with him, raising his dead cap hit from $24 million to a staggering $57 million in 2028.

That is unlikely to happen, but this would be the fourth time that he has allowed restructuring his 10-year, $450 million contract from 2020 to help build the roster, and understandably so.

KC entered this offseason in the worst cap position in the NFL. Reportedly, they were projected to be more than $54 million over the base salary cap of $303.5 million, dead last in the NFL. What’s staggering is that the Chiefs have consistently failed to keep up with their cap space, forcing Mahomes to bend once again.

The restructure was inevitable. Frankly, it has worked before.

Last March, Mahomes’ restructure, paired with that of defensive tackle Chris Jones, freed up $49.4 million in cap space. The Chiefs got a breather and locked down free agents like O-lineman Jaylon Moore and cornerback Kristian Fulton.

This year, the math was even more brutal.

Mahomes alone was set to consume $78.2 million. Chris Jones wasn’t far behind at $44.8 million. Two stars posed one staggering problem for the team. But Mahomes’ restructure also causes a problem down the line.

“Mahomes’ salary cap number in each of the next four seasons will now rise by $10.89 million per year,” explained Fitzgerald. “His cap number for 2027 will now be over $85 million.”

At the moment, KC isn’t solving its cap problem; it’s financing it. Each restructure converts present-day salary into future dead cap, and the bill keeps growing. Unfortunately, the borrowing isn’t done.

Even after this latest move, KC remains approximately $11 million over the cap. This opens the doors for other steps that the team can take to gain more financial flexibility.

The Chiefs will now look at Chris Jones and others for more cap space

Jones has already cemented his stance that he will be returning for at least one more season with the Chiefs. While his competitiveness remains at a top-notch level, the decision may also be influenced by the $35 million guaranteed money he is owed in 2026. But if restructured, the $44.9 million cap hit he might pose this season can also be avoided.

But here’s the glitch: the Chiefs might not want to restructure Chris Jones’ contract.

The veteran defensive tackle can add leadership to the team that’s looking to improve its defense. However, he is turning 32 in July, and he lacked his usual spark in 2025. The Chiefs just might want to move on from him next season.

If history is any indication, the Chiefs value loyalty. And Jones screams loyalty to KC. With a restructure, the team could add more years to his contract, opening $22.5 million immediately.

Apart from him, guard Trey Smith and center Creed Humphrey can help open $21.4 million combined. Reportedly, the franchise can open up $109 million in cap space through restructuring alone. But there are more ways.

Among others, right tackle Jawaan Taylor, defensive end Mike Danna, and linebacker Drue Tranquill are already on the chopping block. To remain a championship contender, the Chiefs can’t afford to keep underperforming players on expensive deals.

The Chiefs’ salary architecture has always been a high-wire act: keep the core, and manufacture room to build around them.

General manager Brett Veach has threaded that needle before.

But while the front office battles spreadsheets and cap headaches among looming roster cuts, a far more emotional storyline is brewing outside the building.

The prospect of Tyreek Hill’s homecoming

The Miami Dolphins‘ own cap headaches and Tyreek Hill’s season-ending ACL injury left them with no choice but to cut the receiver. But when the news broke, the reaction in Kansas City was immediate. Chris Jones took to social media to recruit his former teammate back. Even ESPN’s Steven A. Smith chimed in with a strong sales pitch of his own on First Take.

“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. “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 himself has teased a Chiefs homecoming multiple times over the years. The reunion has obvious appeal.

Hill’s 479 career receptions, 6,630 yards, and 56 touchdowns as a Chief had made him one of Mahomes’ most dangerous weapons. With Mahomes rehabbing from an ACL and LCL injury, he needs tried and tested targets. But the hurdles are real, too.

The receiver’s dislocated knee and multiple torn ligaments pose a significant problem for the Chiefs. Adding Hill to a cap-strapped roster when he is about to be 32 in March, with no clear return timeline, is more like a calculated gamble rather than a guaranteed fix.

The Chiefs just restructured their franchise quarterback to survive. Whether they can afford (financially and physically) to bring back the Cheetah could define how serious this dynasty’s next chapter is. But for now, we wait for the next roster move that frees up more cap.