Might there be an underlying meaning to the recent moves?

Kansas City Chiefs, Brett Veach | David Eulitt/GettyImages

On Wednesday morning, the Kansas City Chiefs announced a couple of restructured contracts. The deals of both Patrick Mahomes and Chris Jones were re-done in a way that now gives the Chiefs an added $49.5 million in cap space.

That’s not a small number.

First of all, allow the obvious to be stated. Kansas City was already over the cap before this move, so the clearing will help the team make room for recently-signed free agents like Kristian Fulton, Elijah Mitchell and Jaylon Moore.

What the Chiefs continue to do, though, is prove that the cap can be manipulated. Many teams do this, it just depends on how everything is structured. Brett Veach just so happens to be one of the best.

Now, this still begs a question of whether or not the Chiefs could use some of that additional cap space on a premier name left on the market, or should I specify, soon to be on the market.

The Chiefs could still afford to add Cooper Kupp once his time with the Rams is over

Cooper Kupp is eventually going to be released if the Rams cannot find a trade partner for him, and that seems to be the likely outcome.

As far as the Chiefs’ wide receiver room, re-signing Hollywood Brown was a big move. Xavier Worthy is an exciting piece, but needs to continue to grow.

Rashee Rice could obviously be that Kupp type within the Chiefs’ offense, but his future is up in the air after an injury ended his 2024 season. His legal situation has also been delayed and he faces a potential suspension down the line.

Signing a player like Kupp could give the Chiefs an offense that features two savvy veterans who can get open better than just about anybody. Kupp, along with Travis Kelce, would be a problem to opposing defenses.

Add in the speed of Brown and Worthy, and then eventually getting Rice back, and this offense could look a whole lot different.