Deal completed: Chris Jones is signed by the Detroit Lions as a result of.
When the NFL free agency of 2024 opens on March 13 and the new league year officially begins, the Detroit Lions will have a ton of alternatives at their disposal.
They already have a high-profile All-Pro associated with them.
The Lions should try to sign All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones, according to a suggestion made by ESPN NFL writer Aaron Schatz on Friday in his piece highlighting the bold offseason actions made by each NFL team.
The Minnesota Vikings, for example, may consider dealing Justin Jefferson rather of re-signing the young, talented wide receiver.
Schatz offered options for the other 31 clubs, saying that some of these are practical and some are more far-fetched, but each would give a big difference.
Over the previous five years, Jones has been a crucial member of the Kansas City Chiefs dynasty. In July, he turns thirty.
Without a doubt, signing Jones would have a significant impact on the Lions’ future, both on the field for a defense that has failed to apply consistent pressure and off the field due to Jones’ demand for one of the biggest contracts in the league for a defensive player.
Chris Jones, a defensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs, warms up prior to Super Bowl LVIII, which takes place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, on February 11, 2024, between the San Francisco 49ers.
After falling short by one game in the previous season, he might be the deciding factor that sends the Lions to the Super Bowl for the first time, or he might hurt the team’s finances going forward.
Jones has played his whole career in Kansas City. He is a three-time Super Bowl champion, five-time Pro Bowler, and two-time first-team All-Pro.
Jones is a three-technique defensive lineman who can play both inside and outside the line. He can cause havoc wherever he lines up. Jones lines up between the guard and the tackle.
Jones recorded 30 tackles, 13½ tackles for loss, and 10½ sacks in 16 regular season games in 2023. This came after a year in which he tied his career-high of 15½ sacks and placed third in the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year vote.
Jones missed just one game in 2023—the Lions season opener—because he and the Chiefs couldn’t come to an agreement regarding his contract.
He signed a one-year contract worth $19.5 million in base salary and $5 million in incentives with the Chiefs shortly after the Lions defeated the Chiefs, the reigning Super Bowl winners, on the road.
He made the most of the pact following another All-Pro season that resulted in another Super Bowl victory.
DRAFT STRATEGY: The Lions selected an unconventional player in the 2023 NFL Draft; nevertheless, this spring, don’t anticipate imitations.
Schatz provided the following justification in his explanation: As a division champion with cap space to spare, the Lions are in a wonderful position this offseason.
The Lions will thus most likely be bound to sign every significant free agent that becomes available, particularly in the defensive end.
There will be discussion of a number of veterans joining the Lions in an attempt to end the team’s curse and win the Super Bowl.
However, Jones of the Chiefs, a guy who has already won three of them, is the greatest option.
Jones faced more double teams than any other defensive lineman in the top 20, yet he still finished second in the defensive tackle category for pass rush win percentage (19.6%).
In the meantime, the Lions, who rank 27th in the NFL in pass rush win percentage (35.8%), might use some assistance deflecting criticism from edge rusher Adrian Hutchinson.”
Chris Jones, a defensive end for the Kansas City Chiefs, reacts during a play during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, on February 11, 2024.
It would be a costly move for the Lions, especially if they had to convince Jones to leave Kansas City. He expressed his desire to play there for the rest of his career on several occasions, most notably on February 14 when he addressed thousands of Chiefs supporters during the Super Bowl parade.
According to CBS Sports, Jones is qualified for a contract with the franchise tag, which would be worth about $32 million in 2024—or 120% of his 2023 pay. Jones and cornerback L’Jarius Sneed are the two Chiefs defenders who the team may choose to tag this summer.
Jones is one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL, and his position is becoming more and more valuable.
If he isn’t franchise tagged and is able to sign a free agent contract, the price tag would still be extremely high.
Quinnen Williams signed a four-year, $96 million contract with the New York Jets last offseason, earning $24 million annually; Aaron Donald inked a three-year, $95 million contract with the Los Angeles Rams, paying $31.67 million yearly.
Prior to agreeing to the one-year contract last offseason, it was rumored that Jones desired a deal that matched Donald’s annual salary, requiring the Lions to give him a sizeable portion of their free agency funds.
With so much money available to them this offseason, the Lions may potentially make a significant impression.
The NFL said on Friday that the salary ceiling for the 2023 season will increase by at least $30 million to $255.4 million from $224.8 million.
According to OverTheCap.com, the Lions have committed $171 million in pay for 2024, which means they should start the new league year with $63.7 million in cap space, which is tenth most in the NFL.
At Ford Field on Sunday, September 29, 2019, Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Chris Jones sacks Matthew Stafford, the quarterback for the Detroit Lions. 34-30 was the Lions’ loss.
However, Lions general manager Brad Holmes has stated that the team will focus on developing its current youthful core of players rather than pursuing major acquisitions in the free agent market.
Future contract extensions for players like Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Alim McNeill, and Penei Sewell might be expensive for the Lions.
With their contracts, Goff, St. Brown, and Sewell may now be among the most paid players in the NFL for the positions they play in.
Therefore, based on Holmes’ expected summer plans, and considering the Lions’ preferred plans despite the abundance of salary space, the Jones proposal is more far-fetched bucket” than probable in Schatz’s bold move possibilities.
However, you never know! Fans of the Lions, dream big.
