Chiefs are 2 moves away from adding significant Patrick Mahomes weapon

With Wednesday’s move that converted $54.45 million of quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ salary into a signing bonus for 2026, the Kansas City Chiefs took the first step toward a serious roster revamping.

The move freed up $43.56 million in cap space — a significant chunk of money considering the Chiefs were more than $55 million over the cap heading into the offseason.

Kansas City currently sits $11 million over the cap still, but the team can not only become cap compliant but free up enough funds to target a high-profile player in free agency with just two additional moves.

It’s been reported the Chiefs will move on from offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor. His release will free up an additional $20 million, and if KC restructures defensive tackle Chris Jones’ contract, it’ll add another $22.53 million in cap space — and just like that, the Chiefs can go from negative $11 million to approximately $29 million in available funds.

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Those moves would allow KC to re-sign a few of its own pending free agents — players like running back Isiah Pacheco, tight end Travis Kelce, linebacker Leo Chenal, defensive end Charles Omenihu — and likely go after one of the top pass-catchers in the free-agent class.

Though the 2026 UFA class has just one legit No. 1 wideout — George Pickens, who is likely to be franchise-tagged by the Dallas Cowboys — there’s a solid group of receivers in that second tier.

The Miami Dolphins released former All-Pro Tyreek Hill, and depending on where his recovery is with his season-ending knee injury, he could be a legitimate option to return to Kansas City.

The Chiefs haven’t had a 1,000-yard wide receiver since Hill’s final season with the team in 2021.

Beyond Hill, Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Mike Evans, San Francisco’s Jauan Jennings, Green Bay’s Romeo Doubs, Jacksonville’s Christian Kirk, and Washington’s Deebo Samuel could also be options to upgrade Kansas City’s unimpressive wide receiver corps.

Kelce led all pass-catchers in 2025, totaling 76 catches, 851 yards, and five touchdowns.

Marquise “Hollywood” Brown was the Chiefs’ second-leading receiver with an uninspiring 49 receptions, 587 yards, and five scores.

Rashee Rice, who was suspended the first six games of the season, Xavier Worthy, Tyquan Thornton, and JuJu Smith-Schuster combined for just 147 receptions, 1,886 yards, and 10 touchdowns.

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