Chiefs to Make Easiest Offseason Cuts

Kansas City must shed over $54 million to meet 2026 salary cap threshold

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The Kansas City Chiefs face a difficult offseason as they look to shed over $54 million from their 2026 salary cap. General Manager Brett Veach and the front office will have to make some tough decisions, including releasing several underperforming players to free up additional cap space.

Why it matters

The Chiefs are up against the salary cap heading into the 2026 season and need to make strategic cuts to their roster in order to have flexibility to sign free agents and field a competitive team around star quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

The details

The Chiefs will likely release right tackle Orlando Brown Jr., who has underperformed since signing a lucrative contract and has been one of the most penalized players in the league. Defensive end Mike Danna, who has struggled to produce, is also an easy cut that would save the team $8.9 million. Linebacker Drue Tranquill, at 31 years old, is another veteran the Chiefs can release to save $6 million.

  • The new NFL league year opens on March 11, 2026.
  • The Chiefs will need to make these roster moves before the start of the new league year.

The players

Orlando Brown Jr.

A 28-year-old right tackle who has been underwhelming since signing a four-year, $80 million contract with the Chiefs.

Mike Danna

A 28-year-old defensive end who carries an $11.1 million cap hit for the Chiefs next season but has struggled to produce, recording just one sack and eight solo tackles in 15 games last year.

Drue Tranquill

A 31-year-old linebacker who has been productive for the Chiefs since signing with the team in 2023, but the team can save $6 million by releasing him.

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What’s next

The Chiefs will need to finalize these roster moves before the start of the new league year on March 11, 2026 in order to free up the necessary salary cap space.

The takeaway

The Chiefs are in a difficult salary cap situation and will have to make some tough decisions this offseason, including releasing several underperforming players, in order to have the flexibility to field a competitive team around Patrick Mahomes.