Chiefs Restructure Mahomes' Contract, Save $43M

Quarterback's deal adjusted to provide cap relief for 2026 season.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The Kansas City Chiefs have restructured the contract of star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, saving the team over $43 million against the 2026 salary cap. The move provides the Chiefs with much-needed financial flexibility as they look to build a roster capable of contending for another Super Bowl title.

Why it matters

Mahomes is the centerpiece of the Chiefs' offense and a key reason the team has been a perennial contender. Freeing up significant cap space allows the Chiefs to retain more of their core players and potentially add new talent to the roster, boosting their chances of returning to the Super Bowl.

The details

By converting a portion of Mahomes' 2026 base salary into a signing bonus, the Chiefs were able to spread out the cap hit over the remaining years of his contract. This maneuver reduced Mahomes' cap number for the upcoming season, giving the team more flexibility to re-sign other key players and potentially add free agents.

  • The contract restructuring was completed on February 18, 2026.

The players

Patrick Mahomes

The star quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs, Mahomes has led the team to a Super Bowl championship and multiple playoff appearances since being drafted in 2017.

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 they’re saying

“Restructuring Patrick's contract was a critical move for us to create the cap space needed to build a championship-caliber roster around him.”

— Brett Veach, General Manager, Kansas City Chiefs (Chiefs.com)

What’s next

The Chiefs will now have the financial flexibility to potentially re-sign key free agents or pursue new talent in the offseason as they look to make another Super Bowl run.

The takeaway

The Chiefs' ability to restructure Mahomes' contract demonstrates the team's commitment to keeping their star quarterback and building a contending roster around him, underscoring the importance of creative contract management in the NFL's salary cap era.