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Chiefs save $43M under 2026 cap by adjusting QB Patrick Mahomes’ contract

By Thomson Reuters Feb 18, 2026 | 9:24 AM

The Kansas City Chiefs saved more than $43 million under the 2026 salary cap by ​restructuring quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ ‌deal this week.

Multiple outlets reported the specifics of the base salary conversion from $54.45 million to a 2026 signing ‌bonus ​to bring his ⁠cap number for ⁠the coming league year down to $34.65 million from $78.2 million.

Mahomes, a three-time Super Bowl winner, is recovering ​from surgery in December to repair a torn ACL ⁠and plans to be ⁠ready for the start ​of the 2026 season. He also ​has won two NFL Most ‌Valuable Player awards.

The benefit of the restructure does have repercussions down the line.

Kansas City transfers ⁠more than $10 million to future cap hits on the Mahomes deal, which expires ⁠in 2031. ‌His 2027 cap ⁠hit jumps to $85 million.

Mahomes, 30, ​signed ‌a 10-year, $450 million extension ​in 2020. ⁠The Chiefs can counter the rising cap figures by extending his contract. Mahomes will be 36 when his current deal expires.

–Field ​Level Media