With free agency just days away, teams are scrambling to keep their impending free agents in town. One of the biggest names set to be available was Chiefs DT Chris Jones. However, one major contract later, and Jones is staying in Kansas City.
A Look at Chris Jones’ Contract Details
According to Jones’ agents, Katz Brothers Sports, Jones and the Chiefs reached an agreement on a record-breaking five-year deal.
Yet, it was Adam Schefter of ESPN that had some of the details. Here’s what we know:
- $95 million guaranteed
- Expected to be the highest average salary ever given to an NFL defensive tackle
The specific details are still being finalized, but Jones will sign the deal, with all of the money in the first three years ($95 million) guaranteed. Additionally, it will include the highest-ever average annual defensive tackle salary.
The deal is coming off of the heels of Justin Madubuike signing a massive four-year, $98 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens. Jones will be passing Madubuike ($24.5 million per year) and Aaron Donald ($31.67 million per year) as the two highest-paid defensive tackles in the NFL by average per year (APY).
With Jones and Madubuike both signing deals to return to their teams, that leaves just Christian Wilkins of the Miami Dolphins as the major DT left on the market. The Dolphins opted not to franchise tag Wilkins, likely letting him hit the open market that Madubuike and Jones did not.
Significance of Jones Returning to the Chiefs
Alongside Madubuike and Wilkins, Jones was one of three game-changing defensive tackles available going into the 2024 free agency cycle. PFN ranked him as the best defensive tackle available, ahead of both Madubuike and Wilkins. He was also ahead of Leonard Williams, DJ Reader, Fletcher Cox, and others.
KC….5 more years of greatness! 3x pic.twitter.com/gds8ecwCmJ
— Chris Jones (@StoneColdJones) March 10, 2024
Jones was a second-round pick in 2016 and has since become one of the best players in the NFL as a whole. He’s a three-time Super Bowl champion, two-time first-team All-Pro, three-time second-team All-Pro, and five-time Pro Bowler.
In his career, Jones has made 273 tackles, 75.5 sacks, and 12 forced fumbles. He also holds the NFL record for most consecutive games with a sack (11).
Jones was one of two major free agents that the Chiefs needed to sort out. He was alongside cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, who was one of the better man coverage corners in the 2023 season. With Jones’ deal as the priority, the Chiefs franchise tagged Sneed and gave him permission to seek a trade.
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Now that Jones’ deal is done, the Chiefs can get back to the drawing board with Sneed. Whether it results in a trade or a new deal, Sneed is now the Chiefs’ priority once again.
Jones and Sneed, alongside the rest of the Chiefs’ defense, were responsible for the second-best unit in the NFL in total defense, allowing just 289.8 yards per game and 32 touchdowns on the season. Jones himself had 30 tackles and 10.5 sacks in 2023 while missing the first game of the season.
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