Ex-Jets GM Suggesting Chiefs Cut Travis Kelce After Patrick Mahomes’ $43M Restructure Angers Chris Jones

Patrick Mahomes' contract restructuring will allow the Kansas City Chiefs to get Travis Kelce, and Chris Jones some help.

Ex-Jets GM Suggesting Chiefs Cut Travis Kelce After Patrick Mahomes’ $43M Restructure Angers Chris Jones

Chris Jones and Travis Kelce (Image via Imago/93.3 The Beat/X)

In Short
  • Kansas City Chiefs are considering roster changes to maximize their Super Bowl potential for the 2026 season.
  • Former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum suggested the Chiefs should cut Travis Kelce, citing his declining performance.
  • Chris Jones publicly defended Kelce, expressing frustration over Tannenbaum's comments.

Heading into the 2026 season, the Kansas City Chiefs have a lot to think about how to maximize Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Chris Jones, and the rest of the team so that they can return to become Super Bowl contenders.

This past season exposed their flaws that were effectively masked during their 15-1 run in the 2024 season. Now, they are back at the drawing board with some crucial decisions on their minds.

Once the Miami Dolphins released star wide receiver Tyreek Hill, many have started to believe that a reunion is on the cards. All they have to do is make some room, as the wideout is not the only need.

For that reason, GM Brett Veach and his fellow executives sat down with Mahomes to restructure his 2026 salary, which gives them an additional $43.5 million to play with. When talking about it on SportsCenter, former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum said this:

I would move on from Travis Kelce… Clearly, his best days are behind him. If I was Kansas City, I would make the right, albeit difficult, decision to move on from him.

Mike Tannenbaum said

The now ESPN analyst believes the Chiefs should look at a younger, faster, more athletic tight end than a seemingly ‘washed’ Travis Kelce way past his prime. But this opinion drew the ire of Chris Jones.

Shut Up.

Chris Jones commented

The superstar defensive tackle added a shushing face emoticon to let the former executive know that he needs to keep quiet about such opinions. Jones and his team believe in their star tight end.

Travis Kelce could follow Patrick Mahomes’ lead

Mike Tannenbaum surely ticked off Chris Jones, as the latter, or for that matter, anyone inside the Kansas City Chiefs premises, would not want to hear anything about Travis Kelce.

Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce
Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce (Image via Chiefs Fandom/X)

He might not have had the explosive plays to boast about, but he finished with a respectable 851 yards in a season despite the offense’s visible struggles.

His last contract saw him draw more than $17 million a season. Now that he has confirmed that he is coming back, the expectation is that he will sign a one-year deal before hanging up his cleats at the end of the season.

Kelce could do them a world of good by not asking for a similar chunk out of the $43.5 million his quarterback just freed up. After all, the remaining money could be used to bring in some quality additions to a squad that desperately needs help.

Tyreek Hill is on the cards, but he is not the only area of need. If the NFL suspends Rashee Rice, the Chiefs will need someone capable to take his place. They also need improvements on the offensive line and the run game.

Tyreek Hill is working out in Kansas City

That $43.5 million might seem like a lot of money, but Travis Kelce and possibly Tyreek Hill could demand a chunk out of it. The latter made $30 million last season.

He knows that with his knee injury and age, he may not be able to command as much, but with his personal life in a mess, he needs all the money he can eke out of the Hunt family.

Tyreek Hill's Snapchat post
Tyreek Hill’s Snapchat post (Image via SS/Snapchat)

However, negotiations between the speedster and the Chiefs might already be underway after Hill posted reels on his Snapchat with the geotag showing Kansas City as his location. It seems he listened to Chris Jones’ plea after all.

He was there working out while wearing a brace on his injured left knee. It could be that the reunion is on the cards, as the signs are pointing towards one.

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