In the coming days, I’ll be doing brief synopses for each NFL team regarding their current cap situation and offseason approach they should take.
We’ll start with the teams that have the most cap space available, then work our way down to those teams who have less cap space, to those who have work to do to gain cap space.
Each synopsis will look at cap space (or how much over the cap), players under contract, total draft picks, any players with a fifth-year option decision ahead and notes about the most notable free agent, the most likely player cut and the quarterback situation.
Up next in this series is the Kansas City Chiefs.
Players under contract for 2026: 54
Projected cap space: $11.4M over the cap
Total draft picks: Six (No. 9 in first round)
Most notable free agent: Leo Chanel
Most likely roster cut: Jawaan Taylor
Fifth-year option decision: Felix Anudike-Uzomah
Quarterback situation: Patrick Mahomes is the unquestioned starter, though it remains to be seen how soon he returns from ACL and MCL injuries.
The ideal offseason approach:
It’s time for the Chiefs to reassess their position, not just in terms of the roster but how they implement their cap strategy. They have avoided void years in everyone’s contract except Patrick Mahomes (whose contract has already been restructured), but they may need to use them with other players.
The most notable case is Chris Jones, who carries a $44.85M cap charge that needs to come down. There might be a couple other cases if the Chiefs believe that is the best way to address their current cap situation.
They could bring back Travis Kelce if he wants to play one more season, but they will likely be OK if they allow other free agents to depart. The Chiefs must also decide what to do with Trent McDuffie, whether that’s extending him to lower his cap hit or trading him for draft capital.