3 Ways the Chiefs Can Clear Cap Space to Prepare for Incoming NFL Draft Class and Other Long-Term Extensions

Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes, and the Kansas City Chiefs finally reached the mountaintop when they won the franchise's first Super Bowl in 50 years on that magical night in Miami. The sustainability of this potential dynasty, however, is a bit of a question mark, as the Chiefs are currently dead last in the entire league in cap space.

GM Brett Veach needs to find some creative ways to bump that number up to accommodate some extra signings, new draft picks, and long-term deals, and these three contracts are good places to start.

3. Restructure Anthony Hitchens' Contract

Kansas City Chiefs LB Anthony Hitchens / Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images

Hitchens has three years left on a five-year, $45 million contract despite not being an overly fast linebacker, a tremendous run-stuffer, or good in coverage. Hitchens' robbery has the Chiefs on the hook for a lot of money, but they shouldn't ditch him totally due to the lack of quality backup options behind him. In much the same way the Chiefs created space by turning some of Frank Clark's contract into a signing bonus, Veach will need to do something similar with Hitchens' unsightly deal in the name of financial flexibility.

2. Consider Moving on From Laurent Duvernay-Tardif

Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif / Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images

Sacre bleu! The French-Canadian stud has been on the Kansas City line for the better part of the last decade, becoming an above-average guard, but paying him around $27 million over the next three years could eat up a lot of cap room for Kansas City. With the Chiefs already wisely pledging money to tackles Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz, the latter of whom might be the best right tackle in the NFL, cuts will have to be made in the name of the impending Mahomes mega contract, and the six-year veteran could be on his way out the door because of that.

1. Get Rid of Sammy Watkins

Kansas City Chiefs wideout Sammy Watkins / Rob Carr/Getty Images

Quick thought exercise. Think of the best and most expensive wide receivers in all of football. Which one will incur the biggest cap hit for the 2020 season? Julio Jones? Nope. Amari Cooper? Wrong again. Michael Thomas? Incorrect. Instead, Watkins, a guy who didn't crack 700 yards and managed just three touchdowns, will count for $21 million against the cap next season. While he was excellent in the playoffs, especially during the Super Bowl, anyone with a passing interest in football can see he is one of the most overpaid receivers in the league.