After a decade of dominance, the Kansas City Chiefs are staring down an offseason unlike any they’ve faced in the Patrick Mahomes era. The 2025 campaign was a gut punch-6-11, no playoffs, and a late-season ACL tear for Mahomes that not only ended his year but now casts a shadow over the team’s offseason plans.
This isn’t just a reset. It’s a full-scale recalibration.
And it starts with the salary cap.
Cap Crunch Reality
The Chiefs are entering the 2026 offseason a staggering $54.53 million over the cap. That’s not just tight-that’s suffocating.
Before they even think about adding talent, they’ll need to get compliant. That means restructures, tough conversations, and yes, likely some roster cuts.
The logical first step? Restructuring the deals of their biggest stars.
Mahomes, Chris Jones, and Trey Smith are all carrying hefty cap hits-$78.21 million, $44.85 million, and $24.50 million, respectively. Expect Kansas City to push some of that money into future seasons.
It’s a common maneuver for cap-strapped contenders, but it’s only a temporary fix.
To really make a dent, they’ll need to part ways with some veterans. Let’s take a closer look at three players who could be on the chopping block-and what those decisions would mean for the Chiefs moving forward.
1. Jawaan Taylor - RT
This one feels like the clearest move Kansas City can make.
Taylor ended the 2025 season on injured reserve with a triceps injury. He’ll be 29 during the 2026 season and isn’t under contract beyond this year. That’s a tough trio-age, injury, and expiring deal-especially when you’re trying to dig out of a deep financial hole.
Cutting Taylor would free up $20 million in cap space. Yes, it comes with $7.39 million in dead money, but the net savings are significant. When you’re $54 million in the red, getting $20 million back in one swing is hard to ignore.
The Chiefs already showed their hand when Taylor went down-they slid Jaylon Moore into the right tackle spot. If they’re comfortable with Moore in that role (or plan to draft a replacement), moving on from Taylor becomes even more feasible.
If they decide to keep him, a restructured contract would almost certainly be in the cards. But don’t be surprised if this is the first domino to fall.
2. Mike Danna - EDGE
Danna’s 2025 season was, by the numbers, the least productive of his career. Just eight solo tackles, 17 assists, one sack, and one interception. For a player expected to provide consistent pressure off the edge, those numbers just don’t cut it.
The financials make this decision even easier. Cutting Danna would save the Chiefs $8.94 million, with only $2.17 million in dead money. Like Taylor, he’s not under contract beyond 2026, so this would be a clean break.
And the Chiefs have options. George Karlaftis has emerged as a reliable starter, and the team has invested recent draft capital in Ashton Gillotte and Felix Anudike-Uzomah. That trio gives Kansas City a young, cost-controlled edge rotation that could easily absorb Danna’s departure.
They could also dip into free agency for a veteran on a one-year deal, but the in-house talent might be enough. Either way, Danna’s cap hit doesn’t line up with his recent production, and that’s a tough combination to justify.
3. Drue Tranquill - LB
Here’s where things get a little more complicated.
Tranquill has been a steady presence since arriving in 2023. He’s smart, experienced, and versatile-a coach’s dream in the middle of the defense. But he’ll be 31 before the 2026 season kicks off, and cutting him would save $6 million, with $1.5 million in dead money.
That’s not a massive savings, but every dollar counts right now.
The bigger question is: who replaces him?
Leo Chenal is headed for free agency, and while Jeffrey Bassa-a fifth-round pick-could see an expanded role, it’s unclear if he’s ready to take over full-time. The Chiefs could look to the draft or free agency to fill the gap, but replacing Tranquill’s leadership and football IQ won’t be easy.
That said, Kansas City’s defensive scheme often leans heavily on nickel packages, meaning fewer snaps for a third linebacker. If they believe they can get by with a rotation or use situational personnel, moving on from Tranquill becomes more palatable.
It’s not a slam dunk, but in a cap-tight offseason, even tough calls have to be made.
The Bottom Line
This offseason is going to test the Chiefs’ front office in ways they haven’t experienced during the Mahomes era. For the first time in years, Kansas City isn’t just tweaking around the edges-they’re facing foundational decisions.
The good news? They still have Mahomes (assuming a healthy recovery), elite talent on both sides of the ball, and one of the league’s sharpest front offices.
But to get back to contender status in 2026, they’ll need to navigate a brutal cap situation, make smart personnel choices, and hit on some key draft picks.
The margin for error is thinner than ever. And the clock is already ticking.