The Chiefs Just Restructured Patrick Mahomes's Contract, Giving Them Salary Cap Relief And Him A Financial Windfall

The Kansas City Chiefs found themselves in an unfamiliar spot last season, finishing out of the playoffs with a 6-11 record. It was the first time since 2014 that Kansas City had missed the postseason. Even worse, Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL and LCL toward the end of the season, putting his Week 1 availability for next year in question.

While Mahomes rehabs, he'll also enjoy a nice financial windfall. He was due $44.o5 million in base salary in 2026, plus a $10.4 million roster bonus. Now, after the Chiefs restructured his contract, that money will all be given as a fully guaranteed roster bonus.

Salaries are typically paid throughout the season, while roster bonuses come all at once, giving Mahomes a massive payday. The decision is also a shrewd business move for the Chiefs, since the team created $43.56 million in cap room, per NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero.

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Granted, the team's payroll is still above the salary cap. But there's a big difference between being about $55 million over and $11 million over, where the Chiefs now sit.

Restructuring Mahomes's deal was always part of Kansas City's long-term plans. The two sides agreed on a ten-year, $450 million deal back in July 2020.

Since then, Mahomes and the Chiefs have reached four Super Bowls, winning Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles and Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers. The return on investment has certainly been worthwhile.

The Chiefs were in the Super Bowl again last year, though they got shellacked by the Eagles in a rematch that wasn't as close as its 40-22 final score indicated. This year, Kansas City struggled throughout the season. There are several holes on the roster that can't be filled through the draft alone, so trying to generate cap space is a good idea.

Expect the Chiefs to release a higher-paid player or two, such as lineman Jawaan Taylor, who's set to make $19.5 million this offseason. We could also see other deals get restructured, as well.

Mahomes will turn 31 this season. Assuming he recovers well from his injury, he's still got several strong years ahead of him. But as 2025 showed, he needs some help. The Chiefs are heading down that path with this move.