Chiefs crisis deepens as Patrick Mahomes is forced to take pay cut after injury and key protector walks

The Kansas City Chiefs are moving decisively toward a roster reset after a frustrating 6-11 campaign that ended the team’s streak of playoff appearances dating back over a decade.

Faced with a daunting financial situation, General Manager Brett Veach has pulled one of the franchise’s most reliable levers: a major restructuring of Patrick Mahomes‘ contract.

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The Chiefs converted a significant portion of Mahomes’ 2026 salary into a signing bonus, reportedly freeing more than $43 million in cap space. In practical terms, this move buys Kansas City breathing room in a free agency period that initially left the team over $50 million above the salary cap.

Contract restructures of this nature have become almost ritualistic for Mahomes and the Chiefs.

By converting base salary into a signing bonus, the team can spread the financial burden over multiple years, pushing cap charges into future seasons. This allows the front office to navigate the immediate offseason without sacrificing flexibility to address other roster needs.

While this strategy increases Mahomes’ future cap load, it is a calculated risk.

The Chiefs are betting that the quarterback’s prime years will coincide with the team’s continued contention, and that investing in his supporting cast now will pay dividends down the road.

Especially important this year is the fact that Mahomes is recovering from a season-ending ACL tear suffered in Week 15 of 2025, a significant injury that requires both time and protection for a full return to form.

But Mahomes’ restructure is just the first step. The Chiefs are also expected to make a difficult decision on the offensive line, a unit that struggled at times in 2025 despite overall success in protecting the quarterback.

League sources indicate that right tackle Jawaan Taylor is all but certain to be released this offseason.

Taylor, who signed a four-year, $80 million deal in 2023, helped anchor the offensive line through two Super Bowl appearances.

However, his tenure in Kansas City has been marred by inconsistency, particularly with penalties. Over three seasons, Taylor accrued 41 accepted flags, the highest in the league over that stretch.

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Compounding concerns, a knee injury ended his 2025 campaign prematurely, leaving the Chiefs with a costly player who may not deliver the value commensurate with his salary.

Cutting Taylor would save roughly $20 million against the cap while only incurring $7.39 million in dead money. This move would not only provide immediate financial relief but also open the door for younger players, such as 2025 first-round pick Josh Simmons, to step into a starting role. Veteran Jaylon Moore also provides depth, giving the Chiefs a combination of youth and experience while freeing resources to target other needs.

Taylor’s potential departure underscores a broader theme in Kansas City’s offseason strategy: hard decisions are necessary to balance the present and future.

While Mahomes’ superstar status is untouchable, surrounding him with a talented, disciplined supporting cast requires difficult roster moves, even when they involve players with recent big contracts and previous success.

Combined, Mahomes’ restructure and Taylor’s likely release would swing the Chiefs from a significant deficit to roughly $9 million under the salary cap—a dramatic shift that could define the team’s offseason.

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With this space, Kansas City can pursue free agents aggressively, address weaknesses on both sides of the ball, and make selective investments that improve depth and sustainability.

Financial flexibility is only part of the story. The Chiefs’ moves signal a philosophical shift in the organization.

After a decade of dominance marked by Mahomes’ arrival and three Super Bowl titles, the team now faces a reckoning: a need to balance winning immediately with building a roster that can remain competitive beyond 2026.

The salary cap, injuries, and underperformance in key positions have forced Kansas City to rethink its priorities, ensuring that its championship window remains open for years to come.

Looking forward, the Chiefs could target free agents at multiple positions. The defensive line, linebacker corps, and skill positions are all areas where impactful, cost-effective additions could pay immediate dividends.

Offensively, bolstering the line to protect Mahomes and support a dynamic rushing attack remains critical, particularly with young players in development and high expectations for the quarterback’s return.

Offseason maneuvers like this also have ripple effects throughout the league. Mahomes’ restructure and the potential release of Taylor will attract attention from teams monitoring cap strategy and player availability. Kansas City is setting the stage for an aggressive and nimble offseason, hoping to avoid repeating the missteps that contributed to a rare losing season in 2025.

The Chiefs’ strategy is clear: short-term sacrifices for long-term gain.

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By restructuring Mahomes’ contract and potentially parting ways with Taylor, Kansas City is prioritizing financial fluidity to rebuild around its franchise quarterback. With these moves, the team positions itself to be active players in free agency, to take calculated risks on young talent, and to return to its status as perennial Super Bowl contenders in 2026 and beyond.

Kansas City’s front office, led by Veach, has historically navigated challenges with a mix of pragmatism and aggression. This spring, the stakes are higher than ever.

The franchise is demonstrating that even in a post-championship era, it will not hesitate to make tough, bold moves to protect its core and extend its competitive window.

For fans, the message is both cautionary and hopeful: the Chiefs are resetting, yes—but with Mahomes at the helm and a roster poised for recalibration, the blueprint for future success is being carefully laid, one contract restructure and tough decision at a time.

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