rewrite this content and keep HTML tags
On Wednesday morning, some of that pressure was relieved with an unsurprising report of restructuring quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ contract. Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap broke the news and concluded Kansas City would still be only $11 million over the limit with the move; Spotrac has the figure at $14.4 million.
Regardless, starting from a position of being nearly $60 million in the hole — coming off the franchise’s worst season in 13 years — is less than ideal.
The NFL new year starts on March 11th at 3:00 p.m. Arrowhead time. All teams must be below the salary cap then. For the Chiefs to be comfortably compliant under the $303 million salary cap, the front office will need to look into the 2026 roster and make decisions on players already under contract. In all likelihood, the Chiefs will make multiple moves between now and then.
So what is the one cut that feels most likely over all others Kansas City could make? There is really only one answer.
Right Tackle Jawaan Taylor
Taylor is scheduled to make over $27 million in 2026. If the Chiefs elect to cut him, the organization will save $20 million against the cap while absorbing a dead-cap figure of roughly $7 million. This move alone would bring the Chiefs to $4.7 million under the cap, which is still not enough to even sign your draft picks, let alone play in free agency. However, it accomplishes the goal of settling under the $303 million cap ceiling before the 2026 NFL calendar officially begins.
Admittedly, the declaration to release Taylor before the final year of his deal is not a revolutionary point, but sometimes the choice that’s staring you in the face is the right one to make.
Two other cut candidates to keep an eye on
While these moves help the Chiefs progress towards a necessary, albeit limited, level of flexibility in free agency, it’s not clear skies and sunshine yet. Kansas City has over 20 unrestricted free agents set to hit the market.
Of course, contracts can be written to have the bulk of funds hitting in future years, and there are other moves waiting to be made to ease further pressure. There are some rays of light peaking through the offseason overcast.
The best way to put the Chiefs’ 2026 cap situation is simple: it is what it is.
Is there any other avenue to handling Taylor’s contract besides outright releasing him? Who else on the 2026 roster should the Chiefs be looking into replacing? Let us know in the comments!
