How could Patrick Mahomes’ $43.56M restructure help the Chiefs make another bold move? Here’s what could come next (Via X)The Kansas City Chiefs have less than $4 million in effective salary-cap space, but that number may not stay there for long. Patrick Mahomes already helped the team create $43.56 million in room with his latest restructure. Now, assistant general manager Chris Shea has confirmed that Kansas City has more ways to create flexibility before the 2026 regular season. That could give Brett Veach another chance to improve the roster.The Chiefs entered the 2026 offseason nearly $60 million over the salary cap. They have since cleared significant money through contract changes and roster decisions. Still, Kansas City has not closed the door on another move. With the final roster taking shape, the front office has several ways to make more room if it sees a player worth adding.Patrick Mahomes’ $43.56M restructure gives the Chiefs another route to create cap spaceMahomes gave Kansas City its biggest cap boost on Feb. 18. The Chiefs converted $44.05 million of his base salary and a $10.4 million roster bonus into a signing bonus. The move created $43.56 million in 2026 cap space and reduced Mahomes’ 2026 cap hit to $34.65 million.It marked the fifth restructure of Mahomes’ NFL career. The move also showed how strongly Kansas City wants to keep adding pieces around its franchise quarterback.The Chiefs did more than restructure Mahomes’ deal. They released Jawaan Taylor and Mike Danna, clearing about $29 million, while Drue Tranquill agreed to a pay cut worth more than $2 million. Trey Smith had also restructured his contract the previous year, creating another $735,000 in cap room.That history gives Veach and Shea plenty of options. The Chiefs can restructure another veteran contract, make a roster cut or use a combination of moves to create room.There is also a clear reason to keep some flexibility. Chris Jones carries a $44.85 million cap hit in 2026, while Mahomes sits at $34.65 million. Trey Smith, Nick Bolton, Jaylon Moore and Creed Humphrey also carry significant cap numbers.Kansas City does not need to make another huge move simply for the sake of spending. However, one more restructure could give the team breathing room for the regular season or allow Veach to react if a useful player becomes available.General Manager Chris Shea confirms the Chiefs could make another move before Week 1Shea addressed the Chiefs’ cap situation on Aug. 19 after training camp practice. With Kansas City sitting at just under $4 million in effective cap space, he made it clear that the front office already has a plan.“We feel good about where we’re at,” Shea said during his Aug. 19 press conference. “Obviously, the rules change a little bit when the season starts. Certain things come onto the cap that aren’t there now. You know, we have a plan to create ample space for us to be able to operate with those charges that come on and create some flexibility.“You know, we have lots of avenues to create more flexibility and more cap space. We may take advantage of some or all in the next few weeks, but we certainly have the ability and likely will create some cap space to get us into the regular season.”That final line gives the Chiefs’ plan away. Kansas City will likely create more room before the regular season starts.The team also has another advantage during roster cuts. After finishing 6-11 in 2025, the Chiefs hold the eighth waiver priority, their best position in years. Assistant GM Mike Bradway said on Aug. 19 that the team remains open to waiver claims and trades during the roster-cut process.So, another Chiefs move does not necessarily mean a blockbuster signing. It could mean clearing enough money to claim a player, complete a trade or handle regular-season charges without financial pressure.Mahomes already did his part in February. Now Veach and Shea have the tools to make another move if the right opportunity appears.