Chiefs Make $9.7 Million Move During OTAs

Although Kansas City had its worst record in Reid's 13-year tenure in 2025 (6-11, No. 3 in the AFC West), Veach and the 68-year-old head coach are doing all they can this offseason to regain their footing as the standard in the NFL. One way Kansas City can ensure success for the 2026 season is through salary cap space. At the start of OTAs, it appears the front office has done just that.

On Wednesday, Spotrac reported that the Chiefs converted $9.685 million of George Karlaftis' salary into a signing bonus, creating an additional $7.7 million in space for the 2026 season. Karlaftis is entering his fifth season of professional football, all of which have been with Kansas City. The former Purdue Boilermakers standout has 30.5 career sacks, including a 10.5-sack season in 2023. The 6-foot-4 defensive end is signed through the 2030 season, giving the Chiefs flexibility in structuring his salary.

Kansas City now has an estimated $13.3 million in salary cap space for the 2026 season, although that number will change when 2026 NFL Draft first-round picks cornerback Mansoor Delane and defensive tackle Peter Woods sign their contracts.

"The #Chiefs converted $9.685M of George Karlaftis' salary into signing bonus," Spotrac wrote on X. "Creating $7.7M of 2026 space. KC now carries an estimated $13M of Top 51 cap space into June."

Kansas City will open the 2026 regular season at Arrowhead Stadium against the Denver Broncos on "Monday Night Football," with superstar Patrick Mahomes expected to be the starting quarterback.