Chiefs have restructured the contracts of QB Patrick Mahomes and DT Chris Jones

March 12, 2025 – Kansas City, MO

The Kansas City Chiefs just pulled off a financial masterstroke, restructuring the contracts of quarterback Patrick Mahomes and defensive tackle Chris Jones to create a massive $49.446 million in 2025 salary cap space, according to ESPN’s Field Yates. With the team previously drowning in a $19.4 million cap deficit, this move flips the script, giving GM Brett Veach a war chest to keep the Chiefs’ dynasty dreams alive.

A Cap Crisis Averted

Coming off a Super Bowl LIX loss to the Eagles and with key players like DeAndre Hopkins and Justin Reid hitting free agency, Chiefs Kingdom was bracing for tough cuts. Mahomes’ 2025 cap hit sat at a hefty $45 million, while Jones was slated to eat up $31.75 million—numbers that made roster moves feel like a pipe dream. But Veach waved his magic wand, converting chunks of their base salaries into signing bonuses spread over future years, a classic NFL cap trick.

The result? The Chiefs go from $19.4 million in the red to roughly $30 million in the black ($49.446M – $19.4M). That’s enough breathing room to chase free agents, lock in young stars, or dodge painful trades like the rumored Joe Thuney swap with the Bears.

Mahomes and Jones: The Dynasty Pillars

Mahomes, signed through 2031 on his record-breaking 10-year, $450 million deal, remains the Chiefs’ golden goose. The 29-year-old QB took a slight pay tweak to keep the team competitive—think of it as a team-first flex from the two-time MVP. Jones, locked in through 2028 with a 5-year, $158.75 million pact, got a similar rework. The 30-year-old All-Pro DT’s willingness to adjust proves he’s all-in for another ring chase.