The Kansas City Chiefs hope to be one of the more active teams when free agency begins next month. The Chiefs are projected to be $54.9 million over the salary cap, though, per Over The Cap. So, they will need to make a few moves between now and the start of free agency.
One group that should be a high priority for Kansas City to address in the coming weeks is the defensive line, which was underwhelming this past season. The Chiefs tried to make a move ahead of the trade deadline during the season to acquire Seattle Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe.
However, it didn’t pan out for Kansas City, as the Seahawks opted to keep Mafe, and wound up winning Super Bowl 60 this month. After failing to land Mafe before the deadline, Kansas City could try to pursue the 27-year-old defender in free agency.
He’s scheduled to become a free agent in the coming weeks and could be a solid option to join a Chiefs’ defensive line that badly needs revamping.
Chiefs Could Restart Mafe Pursuit After Striking Out at Trade Deadline
This past season with the Seahawks, Mafe saw his sack production drop significantly from six sacks in 2024 to only two sacks in 2025. The 6-foot-4, 261-pound defender was a full-time starter the previous two seasons, but started only four games this season.
The Seahawks got a healthy 2025 season from Uchenna Nwosu, who played in 12 total games over the previous two seasons, which impacted Mafe's playing time. Nwosu posted 35 tackles, 23 quarterback pressures, 15 quarterback hits, seven sacks, and seven tackles for loss.
Despite Mafe taking a back seat, the Seahawks could consider bringing him back as they’re projected to have sizable cap space this offseason. However, his calculated market value is a three-year, $36.7M deal with $12.2M AAV, per Spotrac.
That might be too expensive for the Seahawks and the Chiefs. If you’re the Chiefs, the hope is that Mafe’s market is around the $7M range, which is where Over the Cap has his valuation projected at ($7.25 million).
Mafe wouldn’t be the sole answer to the Chiefs’ pass-rushing woes, but he’d be an upgrade over Mike Danna and Charles Omenihu, for example.
According to Pro Football Focus, Mafe had a pass rush grade of 68.7 and a run defense grade of 65.1.
- Danna had a 56.7 pass rush grade and a 55.0 run defense grade
- Omenihu had a 58.8 pass rush grade and a 75.0 run defense grade
Nonetheless, for the Chiefs to get back to the Super Bowl and top of the AFC next season, they need to bolster their trenches on the defensive line and Mafe would be a good start.