The Kansas City Chiefs’ off-season is already proving to be as dynamic as a Patrick Mahomes scramble. In the latest episode of the 41 Is the Mic podcast, hosts Nick Jacobs of KSHB 41 and Matt Derrick of Chiefs Digest delivered a comprehensive breakdown of the team’s current landscape, highlighted by the enthusiastic return of a familiar face and the financial implications of a ballooning NFL salary cap.

The headline moment of the week was the return of Eric Bieniemy. Known for his intense coaching style and “tough love” approach, Bieniemy spoke to the media for the first time since returning to the Chiefs’ staff. “He is very excitement about being back in Kansas City,” Matt Derrick quipped, quoting the coach’s own enthusiastic—if slightly ungrammatical—declaration of joy. The hosts discussed how Bieniemy’s presence fills a void on the coaching staff, providing a “bad cop” to Andy Reid’s “good cop” (or vice versa, depending on the day). The consensus is that the team has missed the edge and accountability that “EB” instills, and his return is expected to drive the offense back to its elite standards.

However, coaching is only half the battle. The Chiefs are facing a significant roster puzzle, particularly with free agency looming. The NFL’s projected salary cap for 2026 is expected to hit a historic high of over $300 million—a “found money” scenario that could drastically change the front office’s strategy. This jump, potentially $10 million more than initial projections, could provide the leverage needed to retain key players or apply the franchise tag to candidates like safety Brian Cook.

The hosts conducted a “lightning round” of roster evaluations, offering candid takes on who should stay and who should go:

Travis Kelce: The conversation isn’t about if he returns, but under what terms. With a current cap hit of $17 million, the hosts suggest a restructuring to a more manageable number as Kelce moves into the twilight of his legendary career.

Hollywood Brown: Both Jacobs and Derrick were leaning toward letting the wide receiver test the market. Despite his speed, the connection never fully materialized as hoped, and with Brown’s market value, both feel it’s time for a fresh start for both parties.

Leo Chenal: In what might be the most debated point, the hosts lamented that the Chiefs may have “missed out on a massive opportunity” by not utilizing Chenal as a full-time pass rusher. If he tests free agency, teams like the Rams or Patriots could see him as a “pot of gold.”

Brian Cook: While Spagnuolo is a fan, Cook’s market value—estimated at $14.5 million—might be too rich for the Chiefs’ blood, especially as he continues to recover his pre-injury range.

Beyond the field, the episode opened with a “Hollywood moment” of a different kind. Nick Jacobs shared his excitement over receiving a reply on X (formerly Twitter) from legendary TV creator Bill Lawrence (Scrubs, Ted Lasso, Shrinking). The exchange sparked a discussion about the creative genius of Lawrence and the “Roy Kent” energy that Bieniemy brings to the locker room—minus the expletives, of course.

As the Chiefs prepare for the scouting combine at the end of the month, the pressure is on Brett Veach to once again make the team “younger, faster, and more affordable.” With the “Bieniemy Effect” in full swing and a few extra million in the bank, the path to a potential 2027 Super Bowl run is beginning to take shape.