KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - As the Kansas City Chiefs approached the 2026 offseason and free agency, the team was creeping toward $60 million over the salary cap. A contract restructure with its star player will help get that number to a more manageable figure.
According to Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap, the Chiefs converted $54.45 million of quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ salary next season into a signing bonus, opening $43.56 million in cap room.
The Chiefs remain about $11 million over the cap number of about $303 million. The Chiefs had been estimated to be in the worst position for the salary cap before the Mahomes move.
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Over the Cap stated that the Chiefs would likely look at Chris Jones’ contract, which is slated to pay $19 million, $28.25 million and $35 million over the next three seasons.
Mahomes is in the middle of a 10-year contract through 2032. His salary number drops to below $40 million per year in 2028. Fitzgerald noted that a new contract is likely then.
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