Chris Jones will not leave Kansas City. NFL Media announces that the defensive tackle has reached agreement on a 5-year contract extension with the Chiefs. The player's agents also confirmed the news to ESPN.
The contract would guarantee him up to $95 million. A sum that he would receive over the first three years of the lease.
Details are reportedly still being finalized. But Chiefs fans can already breathe easy, as Jones also confirmed the news on X.
“KC… 5 more years of success! 3x »
The defending champion will keep the most important player in his defense. It was minus one. On Monday, Jones could have started negotiating with all the other teams.
Chris Jones, highest paid defender in the league
Averaging around $32 million per season, Chris Jones is going to become the highest paid defensive end in the NFL on an annual basis. He will overtake Aaron Donald, who is currently averaging 31.6 million per season.
In terms of the guaranteed amount, the Chiefs defensive tackle will remain behind Nick Bosa ($119.9M), Joey Bosa ($102M) and Myles Garrett ($102M).
An essential player for the Chiefs
Last season, Jones failed to secure a new contract. However, he went on strike during the offseason and missed the first game of the regular season.
He then accumulated 10.5 sacks in 16 games and then led one of the best defenses in the league to the title.
Last season, the Chiefs allowed 4.3 yards per play when Jones was on the field. Without him? That was 5.5 yards per action! Their sack percentage also went from 11% with him to 4% without him.
The 29-year-old is now rewarded commensurate with his importance in the defense of the reigning champions. And here is Kansas City which sets out to conquer a triple with always the same base: Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Chris Jones and Andy Reid.
