TIME’S TICKING: Andy Reid Faces 61-Day Ultimatum to Unlock Chiefs’ $28.8M War Chest Amid Patrick Mahomes Contract Showdown!

Every dynasty in the NFL walks a fine line between dominance and difficult decisions. The Kansas City Chiefs know this better than anyone. One moment, they’re inches away from hoisting their third consecutive Lombardi, and the next, they’re staring at spreadsheets, trying to keep the core of their team intact. In a league where success comes at a price, Andy Reid and Brett Veach are now facing a familiar crossroads—who stays, who goes, and how much it will cost to keep the kingdom intact.

And this time, the bill isn’t small. With the deadline to decide on fifth-year options for two of their brightest young stars looming, the Chiefs are staring at an expensive decision. But with Patrick Mahomes’ contract also a factor in the financial chessboard, Kansas City might have a way to make it all work—without breaking the bank.

Believe it or not! The 2022 Draft Class is one big reason why the Kansas City Chiefs were on the brink of making history. Yes! That draft class brought in 10 players to Andy Reid’s team, out of which 9 are still in the Chiefs Kingdom. And while you are wondering who those are, let us help you jog your memory.
The offensive tackle Darian Kinnard is now with the Eagles. However, others such as—Trent McDuffie, George Karlaftis, Leo Chenal, Bryan Cook, Jaylen Watson, Joshua Williams, Nazeeh Johnson, Isiah Pacheco, and Skyy Moore—are all still Chiefs! But now, many key players among them are seeking contract extensions. The two main players of Andy Reid’s team, as well as former first-round draft picks, are CB Trent McDuffie & DE George Karlaftis. But…But!

HC Andy Reid, GM Brett Veach, and the Chiefs have their hands full this offseason. According to NFL reporter Charles Goldman, “Combined fifth-year option costs for Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie & DE George Karlaftis will officially be $28.828M. Kansas City has until May 1 to make a decision on those two.”
If we talk individually, Trent McDuffie has landed at $13.6 million. And you might be guessing he should have gotten more? Of course, he should have! But the only mistake here was—he has never made a Pro Bowl. Wait, what? Yes! Despite making the All-Pro twice, the NFL has set the price for his fifth-year option—$13.6M, where he could have got at least $17.6 million as a fair price with a single Pro Bowl selection. Even Karlaftis, who hasn’t made it to the All-Pro or Pro Bowl, will be getting $15.2 million. So, Andy Reid’s Chiefs have a big decision ahead, that too with just a 61-day deadline.

Keeping McDuffie and Karlaftis for a fifth year would cost KC over $28 million in 2026. That’s a huge number for sure! But here’s the catch—several other key players of that 2022 Draft will also be free agents that year. Can they afford to lock in two players when a whole group needs new deals? The front office has some serious juggling to do. But Patrick Mahomes’ contract could come as a help for Andy Reid and the Chiefs.

Some say the Chiefs have a Mahomes contract problem. Well, perhaps they don’t. Their Super Bowl loss to the Eagles still stings, but Patrick Mahomes is still here. And as long as he is, their reign isn’t over. Now, about that salary cap.

On paper, Andy Reid’s Kansas City is nearly maxed out, sitting at $274.7 million in liabilities. That leaves them with just $941,000 to work with. We know it’s not enough to do much of anything. But here’s where Mahomes’s contract saves the day for Andy Reid and the team—Right now, his cap hit is a massive $66.2 million. That number looks scary, but the Chiefs have a trick up their sleeve.
By converting $48 million into a bonus, they can slash his 2025 salary to just $11.8 million. That drops his cap hit to $28 million, instantly freeing up space. Call this “kicking the can down the road.” And yes, down the line, the Chiefs will still be paying for it. But that’s a small price for keeping their championship window open. After all, the QB once himself said, “For me, if you watch some of the great quarterbacks, man, it’s not always about getting the most money. It’s about going out there and winning and having a legacy that you can kind of live with forever. For me, that’s what I want to have at the end of the day.”

So, yes, for Mahomes, for Andy Reid, for Brett Veach, and for the Chiefs—winning now is the priority, and QB’s contract will be rebuilt to make that happen