Patrick Mahomes in line for shock reunion as Travis Kelce reveals unseen reason behind NFL comeback
The Kansas City Chiefs are restructuring Trey Smith‘s contract to create an extra $12.5 million in 2026 cap space.
According to Over the Cap, the team is converting $18.535m of the guard’s base salary into a signing bonus, while his cap number will increase by $6.18m in each of the final two years of the contract.
Smith was initially slated to be an unrestricted free agent in 2025, before the Chiefs placed the franchise tag on him.
He was later signed to a four-year, $92m extension, which included $70m guaranteed.
That deal made Smith the highest-paid guard in NFL history, and he’s now repaying the favor by restructuring his deal.
Other Chiefs stars, including franchise quarterback Patrick Mahomes, have done similar in recent months.
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Given Kansas City has moved to free up money for 2026, fans were quick to speculate that a familiar face could be making a return.
Fans beg Chiefs to bring back Super Bowl champion WR
“Tyreek Hill, welcome back,” one member of Chiefs Kingdom wrote on X, responding to news of Smith’s restructure.
“F***, they are getting Tyreek… I really just don’t feel it’s a need but it’s definitely happening,” another said.
“Tyreek, Tyreek, Tyreek!” a third, excited fan responded.
“The Cheetah will be back soon,” a fourth concluded, referencing Hill’s nickname.
Hill remains a free agent heading into the 2026 NFL season, having been released by the Miami Dolphins back in February.
Once the most-feared wideout in the league, he dislocated a knee and tore an ACL last September.
That gruesome injury ended his 2025 season, and the 32-year-old is now a free agent for the first time in his 10-year career.
Hill has long been linked with a return to the Chiefs, where he won the Super Bowl in 2019, and established himself as one of the top receivers in the NFL.
With Smith’s contract restructured, fans are now excited about a potential reunion, despite off-field distractions and worrying updates about his injury rehab.
Should Hill run it back, he will be doing so alongside Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
The quarterback is coming off a serious ACL and LCL injury of his own, while the tight end has decided to stave off retirement for at least one more year.
Travis Kelce reveals Patrick Mahomes’ impact on his NFL return
Ahead of the new season, Kelce detailed what he’s seen from Mahomes’ rehab efforts, and why his close friend was a ‘huge’ part of his decision to return.
“I could see the determination,” he said, during the September 2 episode of his New Heights Podcast.
“I could see the frustration in his mind that it got to this point this year.
“And, you know, that was — that’s a huge reason why I’m still playing the game because I know that guy.
“Like, I want to be there for that guy, you know, in every aspect of the game.”
Kelce added that Mahomes’ comeback gives the Chiefs something to look forward to in Week 1.
“I think that’s exciting coming into the year,” he added.
“We get a fresh start.”
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