Chris Jones, a five-time All-Pro defensive tackle, and the Kansas City Chiefs have come to an agreement on a five-year contract with a $95 million guarantee, Jones’ agents confirmed to ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Saturday night.
Although the specifics are still being worked out, Jones will sign a five-year contract with a $95 million guarantee for the first three years of the deal.
Jones’ average yearly salary as a defensive tackle will be the highest if the contract is finalized, above that of Nick Bosa ($34 million), Aaron Donald ($31.6M), T.J. Watt ($28M), and Joey Bosa ($27M).
How crucial is Chris Jones’ retention to the Chiefs? They gave up 4.3 yards per play last season with him on the field, which would have ranked first in the NFL, but when he was off the field, they gave up 5.5 yards per play, which would have ranked 23rd.
According to Roster Management System, Jones’ guaranteed $95 million would rank as the fourth-highest guaranteed sum for a defensive player on a current contract. Nick Bosa ($119.9M), Joey Bosa ($102M), and Myles Garrett ($102M) round out the top three.
Jones celebrated the agreement on social media, saying on X: KC….5 more years of excellence! thrice
Kansas City can retain their top defender before the start of free agency thanks to this action.
The 29-year-old Jones and the Chiefs engaged in months-long discussions, to the point where Jones skipped training camp and the opening game of the regular season against the Detroit Lions.
After returning on a one-year contract that had been changed, he finished the season with 10.5 sacks, was selected to the first team of the Pro Bowl, won his third Super Bowl, and is currently the highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history based on average yearly income.
Coach Andy Reid, tight end Travis Kelce, and wide receiver Julius Jones have returned to Kansas City despite the rumors that surrounded all three of them. The Chiefs want to make NFL history by being the first team to win three straight Super Bowls.
Jones, a Mississippi State product selected by the Chiefs in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft, recorded a career-high 15.5 sacks in 2018. In 2022, he reached that total.
Jones has only tallied 2.5 sacks in 19 career postseason appearances. He can still have an impact on games, though.
He recorded six pressures when the Chiefs defeated the 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII last month, and he also batted down three passes in the Chiefs’ victory over the 49ers in Super Bowl LIV.
L’Jarius Sneed was given the nonexclusive tag by them, which gave the cornerback the opportunity to speak with other clubs and maybe arrange a trade with the Chiefs.
Additionally, they inked linebacker Drue Tranquill, a pending free agent, to a three-year, $19 million contract with a fully guaranteed $13 million.
