Despite saving some money through releases and restructures, the Kansas City Chiefs remain over the salary cap.
As of March 3, Kansas City is $6.6 million over the salary cap. By effective cap room – projected space after signing 51 players and the rookie class – the Chiefs are $14 million over the cap.
Kansas City will become cap-compliant soon. The team released Jawaan Taylor, which cleared $20 million in cap space for the 2026 season.
Earlier this offseason, Kansas City restructured Patrick Mahomes’ contract. The move cleared just under $44 million in cap space.
Chiefs Free Agents 2026: Expect Loads of Defensive Turnover
Travis Kelce qualifies as Kansas City’s headline free agent. Presumably, Kelce’s choice is to return on a team-friendly contract or retire.
Both Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt enter free agency as well. With the ninth overall selection, the departures could lead to interest in Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.
Wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown also enters free agency at age 29. Brown has struggled to stay healthy in Kansas City, missing a chunk of action in 2024.
On defense, Kansas City will likely have to contend with the departures of Leo Chenal, Bryan Cook, Jaylen Watson and Charles Omenihu.
Cook finished as Kansas City’s highest graded player at PFF this year (min. 20% of snaps). Chenal finished sixth in those ratings after ranking second in the 2024 defensive ratings.
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