3 Players the Chiefs Won't Be Able to Keep Once Patrick Mahomes Gets His Record-Setting Contract

The defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs have the best quarterback in the NFL in Patrick Mahomes. No one in their right mind thinks that they won't throw all of the money in the world at him. He's a generational talent, and keeping him on the roster is the biggest priority for the team.

The problem is that pesky salary cap, and although that number is expected to balloon either next year or the year after, KC won't be able to keep others who are set to have big cap hits over the next couple years. Let's take a look at three future cap casualties that could be let go once the team gets into deep talks with Mahomes.

3. Anthony Hitchens

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Anthony Hitchens / Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Middle linebacker Anthony Hitchens recorded 88 tackles and two sacks in 2019. He started every game, but in 2022, the last year of his contract, he'll account for $12.7 million against the cap. If the Chiefs cut him loose, they save about $8.5 million. He'll likely be on the team the next couple of years solely because the Chiefs won't save much by letting him go, but expect him to be done in KC after the 2021 season.

2. Alex Okafor

Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Alex Okafor / Jamie Squire/Getty Images

The Kansas City defensive line was a bright spot in 2019. Unfortunately, new hire Alex Okafor could only play in 10 games. A torn pectoral muscle sidelined him, and yet, he still managed to get five sacks and 22 tackles. He's a strong addition to the Chiefs line, but for the team to save money, he may be a casualty. His contract expires after the 2021 season, but don't expect him to stick around for that year, especially with the team looking to lock up Chris Jones long term and the fact Frank Clark will be in town for quite a while. Okafor's cap hit isn't big at $7.85 million for 2021, but the the Chiefs will save nearly $6 million by letting him go.

1. Tyrann Mathieu

Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Tyrann Mathieu / Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Tyrann Mathieu presents the second-biggest cap hit for the Chiefs in 2021, and KC can save nearly $15 million by cutting him loose before the season starts. While he was a First-Team All-Pro selection in 2019 with 75 tackles, 12 passes defended, and two interceptions, his $19.7 million cap hit in the final year of his deal will prove to be problematic. Expect the Chiefs to address the safety position in the draft in the next couple years to brace for this loss.