Over the next year or two, the Kansas City Chiefs will need to maneuver many huge contracts for salary cap purposes.
The team's worst contract is starting left guard Joe Thuney's four-year, $80 million deal, according to Arrowhead Addict's Jacob Milham.
In a July 21 piece, Milham ranked Kansas City's three worst player contracts, including Thuney's. “He has a $22.1 million cap hit this season and $22.6 million in 2024 and 2023.
His cap hit is $3 million higher than the next highest NFL guard.
Milham added that Thuney has earned his Chiefs contract. Thuney's cap hits for the next three seasons are too high for a Kansas City team that also includes Patrick Mahomes, Chris Jones, Travis Kelce, and Jawaan Taylor.
According to Spotrac, releasing Thuney after the 2023 season would save the Chiefs $16 million in each of the next two seasons.
The Chiefs have offensive line decisions after 2023.
Kansas City may also extend center Creed Humphrey and right guard Trey Smith's rookie contracts in 2024, along with Joe Thuney's. After his one-year contract expires in 2024, projected starting left tackle Donovan Smith will be a free agent.
The Chiefs will have to do something about their offensive line contracts in 2024. The franchise's top concern is protecting star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, so the front office will always prioritize adding talent up front.