Kansas City Chiefs Make Major Decision On Patrick Mahomes
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
The Kansas City Chiefs took a big step to fix their cap crunch this week. The team restructured Patrick Mahomes’ contract and cleared major salary cap space ahead of the 2026 season, according to ESPN and multiple reports.
Over the Cap was the first to report the change. The Chiefs turned $54.45 million of Mahomes’ 2026 salary into a signing bonus. Because of that move, his salary cap number dropped from $78.2 million to $34.65 million for next season.
NFL insider Adam Schefter confirmed the news on X. He wrote, “The Kansas City Chiefs restructured Patrick Mahomes’ contract this week, lowering his salary cap number from $78.2 to $34.65 million for the upcoming season and creating $43.56 million in salary cap space, as @Jason_OTC reported.”
Before this move, the Chiefs were more than $57 million over the salary cap. They needed to act quickly. This change gave them about $43.6 million in space, but they still have more work to do before the new league year begins on March 11.
More Moves Likely As Cap Deadline Nears
Mahomes originally counted $78.2 million against the 2026 cap. He now counts $34.65 million. The restructure adds $11 million to each of the next four seasons. His cap number now jumps to $85 million in 2027, according to Over the Cap.
Kansas City has reworked Mahomes’ deal four straight years. The team signed him to a 10 year, $450 million contract in 2020. That deal stood as the richest in North American team sports at the time. Mahomes has since won two league MVP awards and three Super Bowl MVP honors.
The Kansas City Chiefs restructured Patrick Mahomes’ contract this week, lowering his salary cap number from $78.2 to $34.65 million for the upcoming season and creating $43.56 million in salary cap space, as @Jason_OTC reported. pic.twitter.com/2MShU1GAmq
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 18, 2026
The Chiefs missed the playoffs in 2025 after three straight Super Bowl trips. They also finished with their first losing season in more than a decade. The front office now faces tough calls on several veterans.
Defensive lineman Chris Jones carries a cap hit near $45 million. The team could restructure his deal. The Chiefs could also cut offensive lineman Jawaan Taylor, who has one year left on his four-year, $80 million contract. Mike Danna, Drue Tranquill and Noah Gray also sit on the list of possible releases.
Mahomes continues to recover from knee surgery. Doctors repaired two torn ligaments in his left knee in mid December. He said last month that he wants to play in the 2026 season opener.
For now, the Chiefs gained breathing room. More moves will follow soon.
