Chiefs Restructure QB Patrick Mahomes' Contract, Save $43M

The move lowers Mahomes' 2026 cap hit but increases future years' cap impact.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The Kansas City Chiefs have restructured the contract of star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, converting a portion of his 2026 base salary into a signing bonus. This move saves the team over $43 million against the 2026 salary cap, but it also increases Mahomes' future cap hits, with his 2027 cap number jumping to $85 million.

Why it matters

Restructuring Mahomes' deal allows the Chiefs to free up significant cap space for the 2026 season, which they can use to sign other key players or address roster needs. However, the long-term implications of this move will need to be carefully managed, as the increased cap hits in future years could create challenges for the team's salary cap management.

The details

The specifics of the restructure involve converting $54.45 million of Mahomes' 2026 base salary into a signing bonus. This lowers his 2026 cap hit from $78.2 million down to $34.65 million, a savings of over $43 million. Mahomes, a three-time Super Bowl winner and two-time NFL MVP, is recovering from a torn ACL surgery in December and is expected to be ready for the start of the 2026 season.

  • Mahomes signed a 10-year, $450 million extension with the Chiefs in 2020.
  • The restructured contract will expire in 2031, when Mahomes will be 36 years old.

The players

Patrick Mahomes

The star quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs, who has won three Super Bowls and two NFL MVP awards.

Kansas City Chiefs

The professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri, that plays in the National Football League (NFL).

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What’s next

The Chiefs can look to extend Mahomes' contract further in the coming years to help manage the rising cap hits associated with his current deal.

The takeaway

The Chiefs' decision to restructure Mahomes' contract demonstrates their commitment to keeping their star quarterback and building a competitive team around him, even if it means taking on larger cap hits in future seasons.