Andy Reid: Chiefs keep Jack Cochrane after Mahomes and Jones free nearly $50 million
andy reid — Kansas City kept linebacker Jack Cochrane on the roster for the 2026 season after contract restructures of Patrick Mahomes and Chris Jones freed nearly $50 million in cap room. The move preserves continuity following a 6-11 2025 campaign and comes as the organization makes offseason additions ahead of 2026. As of March 2026 ET, Cochrane — undrafted out of South Dakota in 2022 who rose from the practice squad — has appeared in 64 games and will remain a rotational defender and special-teams contributor.
Andy Reid and the roster shift
The team used restructures of Patrick Mahomes and Chris Jones to create the flexibility needed to keep internal contributors like Jack Cochrane. Chris Jones remained a defensive stalwart in 2025, posting 29 tackles, seven sacks and two passes defended during a season that finished 6-11. That financial maneuvering freed nearly $50 million in cap room and directly enabled Kansas City to retain depth pieces who developed within the organization.
Why Jack Cochrane stayed
Cochrane’s value is rooted in availability and special-teams play. Pro Football Focus highlighted his impact on special teams, where he finished second on the team with 11 tackles while rookie Cooper McDonald led the unit. Cochrane’s defensive snaps include a Week 16 start against the Tennessee Titans in 2025 where he recorded five tackles in 29 snaps, and previous fill-in duty against the Green Bay Packers when the linebacker rotation was hit by injuries. Across his career to date he has 62 tackles, one interception, a fumble recovery and two passes defended in 64 appearances.
What this means next
The Chiefs have added offensive and defensive pieces in the offseason, including the signing of running back Kenneth Walker III, while departures in the secondary — notably Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson — leave areas of need. The team recouped draft capital that includes a 2026 first-round pick, and general manager Brett Veach remains positioned to pursue cost-effective veterans or overlooked prospects for cornerback depth. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is expected to maximize the personnel on hand while the club evaluates additional depth moves and further contract adjustments, including the possibility of additional restructuring for key veterans like Jones and center Creed Humphrey to create more flexibility.
Discussion around personnel will continue to mention key figures at the club and beyond; andy reid will be a name observers note as the roster reshapes and the Mahomes era moves into its next phase. The decision to retain Cochrane underscores an emphasis on homegrown contributors and special-teams reliability, a strategy that figures to shape short-term roster construction and the club’s approach to the 2026 season. Teams and evaluators will watch how Kansas City deploys the freed cap space and draft capital in the coming weeks, andy reid remains a recurring reference point in conversations about continuity and coaching during this transition. For now, Cochrane stays in Kansas City as the organization balances veteran restructures, incoming talent and a bid to return to playoff contention in 2026.
