The Kansas City Chiefs are heading toward a difficult offseason.

According to cap projections, Kansas City must clear more than $58 million in cap space before the start of the 2026 league year in March. While general manager Brett Veach is expected to restructure several long-term contracts, that alone may not be enough.

As a result, the Chiefs could be forced to move on from veteran contributors. Based on cap savings versus dead money, three players stand out as realistic cut candidates.

1. Jawaan Taylor Is the Most Obvious Cut Candidate

Right tackle Jawaan Taylor has been at the center of Chiefs cap rumors for months — and for good reason.

Kansas City can save $20 million by releasing or trading Taylor, with a manageable dead cap hit of roughly $7.39 million, per Over the Cap. That kind of flexibility is hard to ignore.

While Taylor has been a serviceable starter, persistent penalty issues and inconsistent play have prevented him from living up to the $80 million contract he signed in free agency.

Complicating matters for Taylor:

• Rookie Josh Simmons has locked down the left tackle spot

• Veteran Jaylon Moore is on the roster as a potential right tackle

• Esa Pole has emerged as a promising swing tackle

Unless Taylor agrees to a significant pay cut, it’s difficult to envision the Chiefs carrying his current deal into 2026.

2. Mike Danna Could Be a Surprise Casualty

Defensive end Mike Danna isn’t a guaranteed cut — but financially, he’s a logical one.

Danna is a trusted piece in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense and brings value beyond the stat sheet. Still, the numbers are compelling:

• Cap savings: $8.94 million

• Dead cap: just $2.17 million

That’s meaningful relief for a team under severe cap pressure.

Performance also factors in. Danna is coming off a down season, recording:

• 1.0 sack (career low)

• 3 tackles for loss in 15 games

A restructure or pay cut feels more likely than a straight release, but Danna’s contract will clearly be part of the offseason discussion.

3. Drue Tranquill Is a Logical Cap Casualty

Linebacker Drue Tranquill rounds out the list.

Tranquill was extended in 2024 after thriving in Kansas City’s defense, but circumstances have changed. The Chiefs committed heavily to Nick Bolton last offseason, leaving limited room for another high-priced linebacker.

From a cap standpoint, the move is straightforward:

• Cap savings: $6 million

• Dead cap: $1.5 million

At 31 years old entering the 2026 season, Tranquill represents a luxury the Chiefs may no longer be able to afford — especially at a position where younger, cheaper options are available.

The Big Picture

If Kansas City were to move on from Taylor, Danna, and Tranquill, the team would free up just under $35 million in cap space.

Combine those savings with a few strategic restructures, and the Chiefs could erase their entire $58 million-plus cap deficit — while still preserving flexibility to retool the roster for another Super Bowl run.

Difficult decisions are coming.
The math leaves little choice.