The Kansas City Chiefs will enter the offseason $48 million over the projected NFL salary cap in 2026, an even bigger problem for a franchise with a lot of issues to address on its roster. However, there are quite a few ways for Kansas City to create a lot of cap flexibility this offseason.
Using OvertheCap.com’s salary cap calculator, we’re highlighting a few Chiefs offseason moves to create cap space ahead of NFL free agency.
Cut Jawaan Taylor
The Chiefs can finally get out of the Jawaan Taylor contract. Signed to a four-year, $80 million deal in March 2023, it looked bad less than two full seasons into it. Across 44 career games with Kansas City, Taylor was called for 43 penalties, and he had some ugly moments in big games. It is a foregone conclusion that he will be cut this offseason, as the cap space created by it alone makes it worthwhile.
- Cap Savings: $20 million
Read More: 2026 NFL Mock Draft, including Chiefs’ Selection
Restructure Trey Smith’s Contract
One year removed from receiving the franchise tag and then signing a four-year, $94 million contract to remain in Kansas City, Pro Bowl guard Trey Smith is likely headed for a contract restructure this offseason. He carries a $19.75 million base salary for the 2026 season. By restructuring that deal, turning a majority of his salary into a bonus, the Chiefs would create more than $10 million in cap relief for 2026.
- Cap Savings: $12.253 million
Patrick Mahomes’ Restructures Contract for the Fourth Time
One of the biggest reasons why Patrick Mahomes signed a 10-year contract with the Chiefs is so there would be the flexibility for multiple contract restructures over the life of the deal. He did it in 2024, creating $21.6 million in cap space, and again this past offseason. It’s time to do it again. Carrying a $78 million cap hit in 2026, Kansas City can drastically lower that by turning his $45.34 million base salary for next season into a signing bonus. That move alone would get the Chiefs under the NFL salary cap.
- Cap Savings: $44.36 million
Cut Kristian Fulton
Signed last offseason to a two-year, $20 million contract to provide depth at cornerback, Kristian Fulton ensured this season that his time in Kansas City will be brief. He has only played in seven games through Week 17, making his first start on Christmas Day because the Chiefs placed their top two cornerbacks on injured reserve. The contract was a mistake, and the team will get out of the deal this spring.
- Cap Savings: $5 million
- Kansas City Chiefs cap after moves: $28.88 million
