Hey Lykkers! It's that time of year again when the NFL offseason is full of big decisions, and the Kansas City Chiefs are making some huge moves to free up cap space.

They've restructured Patrick Mahomes' and Chris Jones' contracts, which gives the team an additional $49.4 million to work with for the 2025 season.

Sounds like a solid plan, right? Well, the Chiefs are already using that money to lock in some key players, like offensive tackle Jaylon Moore from the 49ers. They've reportedly agreed to a two-year, $30 million deal, with over $21 million fully guaranteed.

Of course, they're keeping the focus on protecting Mahomes, which is crucial if the Chiefs want to keep their Super Bowl dreams alive. But not everything's going smoothly for Kansas City.

DeAndre Hopkins and Justin Reid Leave the Chiefs

While the Chiefs are making financial moves, they've also lost some major players during free agency. First up, DeAndre Hopkins, the veteran wide receiver the Chiefs hoped would become their anchor, signed with the Baltimore Ravens. Losing Hopkins is a significant setback to their wide receiver corps, and it leaves them scrambling to fill that gap.

But that's not all. Justin Reid, a key defensive leader, also decided to leave, signing a three-year, $31.5 million deal with the New Orleans Saints, with $22.5 million guaranteed. Losing Reid, who was a major part of their defense, adds to the Chiefs' problems. Now, their secondary might take a hit, and it's a real concern for Andy Reid and the front office. They've got some work to do to replace these two key players before the season starts.

Salary Cap Increase Creates Opportunities

In better news for the NFL as a whole, the salary cap for 2025 has increased to a record-high $279.2 million per team. This is a huge boost—$23.8 million more than last year—giving teams more flexibility to sign players and make big trades. The Chiefs, with their new cap space, are ready to take advantage, but they've got to be careful about overspending.

And while the Chiefs have been working on improving their roster, other teams have been busy as well. The Cowboys handed out a massive $80 million contract to defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, while the Cleveland Browns locked in Myles Garrett with a four-year, $160 million extension, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league.

The Chiefs Struggle with Financial Balance

Despite the big cap increase, the Chiefs are still walking a fine line when it comes to their finances. After franchise-tagging Pro Bowl guard Trey Smith, they find themselves $17 million over the cap. And while restructuring Mahomes' contract has freed up $21.6 million in the past, they can't keep relying on that strategy. This year, Mahomes' cap hit is set to jump nearly $30 million, putting the Chiefs dangerously close to the limit.

Even though they've freed up $49 million, it's still not enough to completely ease their financial worries. Right now, the Chiefs are just a few million dollars under the cap, and they'll need to make some quick decisions if they want to stay compliant with the league's rules. There's still a chance they might need to restructure more contracts, like Chris Jones'—but the team seems hesitant to mess with Mahomes' deal again.

Final Thoughts

So, what's next for the Chiefs? As things stand, Mahomes' contract is safe for now, but the team's financial situation is far from settled. The Chiefs have some major decisions to make to avoid penalties, and with the pressure building, all eyes are on them to see how they handle this situation.

The Chiefs might have freed up a lot of cap space, but they're not out of the woods just yet. Will they be able to stay compliant with the league's salary cap rules? Or will they find themselves in hot water, facing the consequences of their financial missteps? Time will tell, but this offseason is shaping up to be a major test for Kansas City.

What do you think, Lykkers? Can the Chiefs figure this out before it's too late, or are they headed for a financial disaster? Drop your thoughts in the comments below—let's debate!