One Bad Contract, Two Roster Crunches: Why the Chiefs Could Cut These Three Before Camp

The Kansas City Chiefs wrapped up mandatory minicamp on June 11, and the clock is already ticking toward training camp in late July. For a team coming off a 6-11 season, every roster decision this fall carries weight — especially with Patrick Mahomes expected back healthy and the front office betting big on new additions.

But not everyone on the current 90-man roster is safe. Based on recent moves, salary cap realities, and the emergence of younger players, three Chiefs stand out as potential cap casualties before the regular season begins.

Kristian Fulton’s fall from grace

Few players on the roster have seen their stock drop faster than cornerback Kristian Fulton. Signed to a two-year, $20 million deal in the 2025 free agency period, Fulton looked like a key piece of the secondary. Then 2025 happened.

Fulton spent most of training camp on the physically unable to perform list after offseason knee surgery, then missed multiple weeks with an ankle injury in Week 2. During his absence, rookie Nohl Williams stepped in and never looked back, effectively stealing Fulton’s starting job.

The situation hasn’t improved this offseason. After Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson departed, Fulton seemed poised for a bigger role. But Kansas City traded up in the draft to select cornerback Mansoor Delane, then reunited with veteran L’Jarius Sneed. Add Kader Kohou in the slot, and Fulton may be the odd man out.

His contract complicates things further. Fulton is in the final year of his deal with a $13 million cap hit. Cutting him would free up $5 million in space while leaving $8 million in dead money — not ideal, but palatable if the team decides his performance doesn’t match the price tag.

According to multiple reports, the Chiefs coaching staff expects a competitive training camp battle at cornerback. Fulton will need to show he’s fully healthy and can reclaim his form, or he could be looking for a new team.

Jaylon Moore’s contract is a ticking time bomb

Offensive tackle Jaylon Moore faces a different kind of pressure. His $18.69 million cap hit in 2026 — the final year of his deal — makes him one of the more expensive players on the roster. That number is manageable for a starting tackle, but only if he plays like one.

Moore already has competition breathing down his neck. The Athletic‘s Jesse Newell recently highlighted undrafted free agent Kahlil Benson as a player to watch during training camp. Moore also must fend off Esa Pole and several other reserve linemen for the starting right tackle spot.

The Chiefs showed their hand on June 11 when they traded tackle Wanya Morris to Atlanta in a minor pick swap. That move signaled the front office is willing to part with veteran offensive linemen to clear cap space and trust younger players. Moore should take note.

If Moore struggles during camp or gets outplayed by Benson, cutting him could save the Chiefs significant cap relief — though the exact savings depend on the structure of his deal.

Rashee Rice: The toughest call of them all

Wide receiver Rashee Rice might be the most awkward situation on the roster. Rice missed all of the team’s OTAs and mandatory minicamp after violating his probation earlier this year. He has been serving time at the Dallas County Jail and is scheduled for release on June 16 — leaving him barely a month to prepare for training camp.

Reports indicate Rice has been staying in shape while incarcerated, but time away from the offense and the team’s offseason program raises legitimate concerns about his readiness. On paper, cutting Rice would be a brutal move for a team desperate for receiver help. He’s the Chiefs’ most talented pass-catcher not named Travis Kelce, and Kansas City’s playoff hopes likely hinge on Mahomes having reliable weapons.

But financially, the Chiefs could move on with almost no cap pain. The question isn’t whether Rice can play — it’s whether his off-field issues and legal troubles will continue to disrupt the locker room at the worst possible time.

For all three players, training camp will be the ultimate proving ground. For the Chiefs, the margin for error is razor-thin after last season’s collapse.