By Nate Taylor, Larry Holder, Randy Mueller and Jeff Howe
One of the best defensive players in the NFL during the past couple of years is staying put with the Kansas City Chiefs. Chris Jones and the Chiefs have finalized a five-year, $158.75 million contract, including $60 million fully guaranteed, a league source said. He is expected to sign the deal Monday.
Jones’ deal will make him the NFL’s highest-paid defensive tackle.
Congratulations @StoneColdJones pic.twitter.com/XgJVvAAKna
— Katz Brothers Sports (@KatzBrosSports) March 10, 2024
Jones, 29, is coming off another potent season for the Chiefs with 10.5 sacks, leading to his second first-team All-Pro distinction and fifth Pro Bowl nod. The 2016 second-round pick has amassed 75.5 sacks during his eight years with the Chiefs.
Leading into the 2023 season, Jones missed the entire offseason program, including training camp, and the team’s Week 1 matchup with the Detroit Lions because of a holdout connected to his desire for a new deal. He agreed to a one-year revamped deal in mid-September to end the holdout — one that included multiple incentives for the 2023 season — to earn the large raise he wanted when the negotiations started.
GO DEEPER
Chiefs GM: Retaining Chris Jones 'at the top of the list'
Jones was offered the franchise tag in 2020 but later signed a four-year, $80 million extension before that season.
“I love Chris,” Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said at the NFL combine in late February. “Tried really hard to get something done, and we didn’t, but when we got together right after that Detroit game, we had a great talk. Both parties, I think, want to be here, so we’ll get to work. That’s certainly a guy we want back and love and want to see him finish his career here in Kansas City.”
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Chiefs lock down core member
By retaining Jones’ services just days before he was set to become a first-time unrestricted free agent, the Chiefs ensured that his words less than a month ago — during the city’s celebratory parade for the Super Bowl champions — were indeed prophetic. Jones promised thousands of fans that day that he would remain a Chief for the remainder of his career.
“We ain’t done yet! We ain’t done yet!” Jones shouted then. “Kansas City, we will be back here next year! And for those who want Chris Jones gone, I ain’t going nowhere, baby!
“I’m going to be here this year, next year and the year after!”
Veach called Jones an iconic player before the team’s comeback victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII. The Chiefs’ final defensive snap of the season ended with Jones pressuring quarterback Brock Purdy into a pivotal third-down incompletion in overtime that forced the 49ers to settle for a short field goal.
After the game, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce expressed to Jones how much they wanted him to stay their teammate. Since then, several of the Chiefs, including Veach, have voiced their hopes of becoming the first NFL team to win three consecutive Super Bowls. Each prominent member of the organization — club owner Clark Hunt, coach Andy Reid, Veach, Mahomes and Kelce — knew the team’s best chance to accomplish such a rare feat was by signing Jones, the team’s best defender, to a new contract.
When Jones signs, which could be as early as Sunday, he will have gained the two parts of the deal that he most coveted: staying with the franchise that selected him in the 2016 draft and a contract that makes him the highest-paid player at his position. — Nate Taylor, Chiefs staff writer
How Jones stacks up
Jones is the bar for defensive tackles. He led all qualified defensive tackles in pass pressure percentage. Here’s a look at how the rest of the top pass pressure players at DT stacked up compared to Jones (stats via TruMedia, minimum 200 pass rush snaps to qualify, rankings in parentheses are for qualified defensive linemen):
| player | Prsr% | Sacks | Prsrs |
|---|---|---|---|
16.5 (8) | 10.5 (9) | 75 (7) | |
16.1 (9) | 5.5 (41) | 70 (8) | |
15.8 (12) | 8.0 (22) | 84 (5) | |
15.7 (13) | 5.5 (41) | 45 (40) | |
15.3 (15) | 4.5 (59) | 65 (12) | |
14.5 (20) | 9.5 (15) | 65 (12) | |
13.4 (25) | 13.0 (4) | 65 (12) | |
13.2 (26) | 7.5 (26) | 61 (17) | |
13.2 (27) | 3.0 (81) | 43 (45) | |
12.8 (30) | 5.5 (41) | 47 (38) |
There was little doubt Jones would receive a mega deal from some team this offseason. And you have to figure there’s no sign of Jones slowing down. — Larry Holder, NFL senior writer
Mueller’s scouting report on Jones
Jones is no less impactful than the Baltimore Ravens’ Justin Madubuike, and he has a knack for making big plays. His power and quickness are rare when he is engaged with desire. Stamina is always a bit of a question, but he is unblockable when he’s playing hard. I expect the Chiefs to value him more than other teams because of how perfectly he fits their defense. — Randy Mueller, NFL staff writer
Required reading
- 2024 NFL free agency rankings: Brian Burns, Saquon Barkley, Kirk Cousins lead top 150
- NFL free agency rankings 2024: Top 10 players at each position
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Trades shake up Round 1; QBs, WRs dominate early
- NFL franchise tag winners and losers: Baker Mayfield, good news for RBs and more
- NFL GMs, execs mock 2024 NFL Draft’s top 10 picks: Jayden Daniels over Drake Maye?
(Photo: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)