The Kansas City Chiefs are shuffling cash like a Vegas dealer, prepping for free agency’s chaos. The legal tampering window opens March 10, with official signings starting March 12, and Kansas City faces a mountain of work.
They’re currently $2.9 million over the 2025 NFL salary cap, per Over the Cap—a site name that’s almost too on-the-nose. That figure doesn’t even cover draft picks, outside free agents, or roster tweaks GM Brett Veach craves to keep this dynasty humming.
The Chiefs jump-started their spree by franchise-tagging right guard Trey Smith at $23 million for 2025—a placeholder move to lock in their stud lineman while they hash out a long-term deal.
Then came a shocker: they traded All-Pro guard Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears for a 2026 fourth-round pick. Thuney’s still got juice, but at 32, his best years are probably behind him. And the $16 million cap savings screams motive.
That leaves us all wondering who could be next on the Chiefs’ chopping block…
1. Joshua Williams, CB
The Chiefs roll into the offseason with cornerback depth that looks solid on paper. Four guys—Trent McDuffie, Chamarri Conner, Jaylen Watson, and Joshua Williams—logged over 400 defensive snaps in 2024.
Williams trails the pack with 411 snaps, and his 64.3 PFF grade—62nd out of 116 qualifying corners—won’t win him any medals.
Kansas City could trim $3.4 million by waiving him, a tidy sum for a squad clawing to free up funds.
Veach loves roster gymnastics—cutting Williams could fuel a bigger swing elsewhere, like a wideout for Mahomes. The Chiefs’ secondary held up last year, but depth’s only golden ‘til it’s not.
Williams isn’t a cap-killer at $3.5 million, yet that savings could tip the scales for a team chasing another ring. He’s no bust, just a guy who might not fit the 2025 puzzle.
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2. Wanya Morris, OT
The Chiefs are in full cap-management mode as they prepare for free agency, and offensive tackle Wanya Morris could be a casualty of that process.
Kansas City’s offensive line has been a topic of concern, particularly at left tackle, where they’ve struggled to provide Patrick Mahomes with reliable protection.
That’s why, according to The Athletic’s Nate Taylor, the Chiefs are expected to pursue Ronnie Stanley when free agency opens next week.
Stanley is the premier left tackle on the market and would immediately upgrade Mahomes’ blindside protection. The nine-year veteran has spent his entire career with the Baltimore Ravens and, despite some past injury concerns, remains one of the best pass-blockers in the league.
In 2024, Stanley allowed just two sacks and four quarterback hits, according to Pro Football Focus. He’s also an asset in the run game, something that should appeal to Kansas City as they look to improve their ground attack.
However, signing Stanley won’t come cheap, which means the Chiefs have to keep creating cap space. That’s where Morris enters the equation.
A third-round pick in 2023, Morris played mostly at left tackle last season before shifting to right tackle for the final two games. He was solid overall, and the Chiefs likely still believe in his long-term potential.
But this is about money, not talent.
Kansas City is penny-pinching wherever possible, and Morris’ contract—while small—represents another $1 million in savings. If the Chiefs are serious about landing Stanley, releasing Morris could be the next move on their offseason checklist.
3. Skyy Moore, WR
The NFL is a ruthless business, and Skyy Moore may soon find himself on the wrong side of it.
A former second-round pick (54th overall in 2022), Moore was supposed to be the next dynamic speedster in Kansas City’s offense—a player who could bring back some of the explosiveness lost when Tyreek Hill was traded. His 4.41-second 40-yard dash suggested he had the tools to do so.
But the results never followed.
In three seasons, Moore has managed just 43 receptions for 494 yards and one touchdown. That includes a 2024 campaign in which he played just six games, spending most of the year battling an abdominal injury.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs’ receiving corps has evolved without him.
Kansas City struck gold in the draft with Xavier Worthy, a true game-breaking deep threat who can stretch the field in a way Moore never could. The team also has Rashee Rice returning from injury, giving them a strong one-two punch at receiver heading into 2025.
That leaves Moore as the odd man out.
In a perfect world, the Chiefs would keep young, cheap players like Moore and Wanya Morris around to develop. But their financial reality won’t allow for that luxury.
Kansas City is in full cost-cutting mode, and every dollar matters. Releasing Moore would save them roughly $1.6 million, a seemingly small number but one that could make a difference given their current cap crunch.
The writing is on the wall—Moore’s time in Kansas City may soon be up.
