The Kansas City Chiefs were facing the highest cap number in the NFL. However, with an increase in the 2026 salary cap ceiling and their superstar quarterback agreeing to restructure his 2026 cap number, the Chiefs are edging closer to the Mendoza line.
At one point, the Chiefs were over the projected 2026 salary cap by an astonishing $72 Million. With the new league year beginning next Month, Kansas City reduced that number even lower when they converted $34.6M of his contract this season to a signing bonus. The result of Mahomes’ cap number will be $34.26M, but his cap number will increase in 2027 to an expected $85 Million.
Per @Jason_OTC, it’s expected that the Chiefs and Mahomes will likely restructure and extend his current contract, which expires at the end of the 2031 season.
General Manager Brett Veach still has to shave roughly $11 million to get under the salary cap. It’s already been reported that the team is expected to release Right Tackle Jawaan Taylor, which would save the Chiefs $20 Million. That move would put the Chiefs on the right side of the ledger.
Still, if Kansas City is going to make a run at several impact-free agents, it has work to do and could release several veterans or restructure Chris Jones’ massive cap number this season.
Further, there are rumblings that the Chiefs could place the franchise tag on Safety Bryan Cook, but they are also open to trading Cornerback Trent McDuffie if they can get multiple draft picks.
Cook’s projected tag number is $20.8M, while McDuffie’s 2026 cap number is $13.6M. If Veach decides to tag Cook, he could attempt to extend him or offer him in trade. The same goes for McDuffie, who is rumored to want a contract north of $100 Million.
