Kansas City Chiefs Hit Home Run With This Free Agent Deal
Updated: Mar 11
The Chiefs' wait for Chris Jones's free agency deal is over, and much sooner than anticipated. The three-time Super Bowl champion defensive tackle signed a massive five-year, $158.75 million deal. With $101 million guaranteed and a $30 million signing bonus, Jones becomes the highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history.
Jones seemed set on staying in KC with his entertaining speech at the parade. Luckily, he is here to stay for likely the rest of his career. The star tackle is now tied to KC through the 2028 season.
Chris Jones Earned This Deal
When Aaron Donald signed his three-year, $95 million deal in 2022, Chris Jones' reaction made it clear that he wanted to reset the market for defensive tackles. Jones signed a one-year deal last offseason with tons of incentives that kept him in town a bit longer. He wanted to sit around the Donald mark of $30 million per year and now he has it, with a bit extra on top.
A Pro Bowler each of the last five years, Jones has earned All-Pro nods in each of the past two seasons. He put together a career-best 15.5 sacks in 2022 and had 10.5 sacks in 16 games in 2023. Jones has a career stat line of 75.5 sacks, 12 forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and two interceptions.
The Chiefs' signing of Jones shows their dedication to him as their superstar defensive player. This move sets up the Chiefs to focus on remaining free agents and potential new players for their title defense in 2024.
What Is Next For The Chiefs?
As I said, this allows the Chiefs to focus fully on other free agents and potential new targets. The L'Jarius Sneed trade potential is likely their biggest order of business as of right now. Kansas City used the non-exclusive franchise tag on Sneed, and as it currently stands, Sneed would make $19.802 million if he played under that tag in 2024.
The bad part of Jones getting his big deal likely means Sneed is not getting the payday he wants. However, the Jones deal getting done allows the Chiefs to explore destinations for Sneed. KC wants a second-round pick in exchange for Sneed to get a high-value spot in the draft. The Chiefs have time before the draft, but time is ticking, and Sneed will want answers before too long.
Final Thoughts
The Chiefs have hit a home run by re-signing Jones. You take the biggest free agent name off the market and keep him on your roster for the foreseeable future. Brett Veach is known for making splash plays, and this re-signing is definitely up there on his list of accomplishments during the offseasons.
The Chiefs are looking to become the first team in league history to win three Super Bowls in a row. Chris Jones has been a major contributor in this historic run and has a chance to add to his legacy as the highest-paid defensive tackle in the NFL. Only time will tell what happens next for KC, but for now, the best defensive tackle in the NFL gets his more-than-deserving bag.
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