After their crushing 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, the Kansas City Chiefs have wasted no time shifting their focus to the 2025 season.
With their sights set on another championship run, they must first navigate a major financial hurdle, getting under the salary cap before free agency kicks off on March 12.
Racing against time to avoid NFL penalties
The NFL recently set the 2025 salary cap at $279.2 million per team, an increase from the previous season. However, the Chiefs currently find themselves exceeding that limit by approximately $17.9 million, according to Over the Cap.
If Kansas City fails to resolve this issue in time, they could face severe repercussions, including hefty fines or even the loss of valuable draft picks. With the competition in the AFC growing stronger each year, the Chiefs can’t afford to start the season at a disadvantage.
Mahomes holds the key to the solution
Mahomes holds the key to the solution Chiefs
A significant portion of the Chiefs financial burden comes from Patrick Mahomes massive contract. The star quarterback’s cap hit is set to surge to $66.26 million in 2025, making him the centerpiece of any potential cap-saving moves.
One possible solution is restructuring his contract, a strategy the Chiefs successfully employed last offseason when they freed up $21.6 million in cap space. If they choose to restructure Mahomes deal again, they could generate up to $39 million in savings, giving them much-needed flexibility. However, the front office must balance short-term relief with long-term financial stability.
Restructuring Mahomes contract isn’t the only path forward. If veteran tight end Travis Kelce had opted for retirement, the team would have saved $17 million. However, Kelce has confirmed he will return for 2025, meaning Kansas City Chiefs must explore other options to meet cap requirements.
With free agency fast approaching, the Chiefs must act decisively to avoid penalties and position themselves for another Super Bowl push.
