Patrick Mahomes makes a major decision that might change everything about the 2025 NFL season

There are at least two things that everybody knows about the Kansas City Chiefs, amid their recent domination over the NFL. The first, that their quarterback Patrick Mahomes is the best in the business; the second, the Chiefs' roster has gotten mighty expensive to keep together.

Kansas City's constraints under the NFL's salary cap became clear once it dealt star receiver Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins in 2022; the Chiefs have played in the past three Super Bowls anyway, flexing their muscles in talent identification and player development to replenish their roster on the fly. However, Mahomes' contract -- a 10-year, $450 million pact signed in 2020 -- has long presented salary cap issues for the Chiefs, even though the contract of Buffalo Bills superstar Josh Allen now towers over Mahomes' four-year-old agreement.

Mahomes agrees to another contract restructure

In a gesture that shows how serious Mahomes and the Chiefs are about getting back to the top of the NFL mountain, the quarterback has agreed to another contract restructuring. With defensive tackle Chris Jones opting for a restructure as well, Kansas City has opened nearly $50 million in cap space to go shopping in free agency.

Before news of the restructures became public knowledge, the Chiefs had reached agreements to sign left tackle Jaylon Moore and cornerback Kristian Fulton, addressing a need on the offensive line as well as one in the defensive backfield. Kansas City also has slapped the franchise tag on guard Trey Smith, and it signed tight end Robert Tonyan on Wednesday to boost Mahomes' options further.

After eight seasons in the NFL, Mahomes is a three-time Super Bowl champion and a two-time NFL MVP who has tossed 291 touchdown passes between the regular season and the playoffs. Yet to turn 30, Mahomes has once again proven that his present earnings -- while still gaudy -- matter at least a little less than returning to Super Bowl LX after next season, especially after the Chiefs were embarrassed by the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX last month.