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Many believed Chris Jones would have to find a new home this offseason with the Kansas City Chiefs facing salary-cap restraints.
It turns out where there’s a will, there’s a way.
The Chiefs agreed to a monster five-year deal that will make Jones the highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reported the deal is worth $158.75 million.
The deal carries $95 million in guarantees over the first three seasons and carries an average annual salary of at least $34 million.
Chris Jones @StoneColdJones
KC….5 more years of greatness! 3x <a href=”https://t.co/gds8ecwCmJ”>pic.twitter.com/gds8ecwCmJ</a>
Suffice it to say Jones’ teammates were ecstatic with the news.
Patrick Mahomes II @PatrickMahomes
😁 <a href=”https://t.co/QtcBCux7vo”>https://t.co/QtcBCux7vo</a>
Charles Omenihu @charless_94
95. 💰
Justin Reid @JustinqReid
He bacccckkkkkk!!!! <a href=”https://t.co/kc2KL6U0G5″>https://t.co/kc2KL6U0G5</a>
Jones has already put together a Hall of Fame career at age 29 while seemingly getting better with age. He’s made the Pro Bowl each of the last five seasons and was a first-team All-Pro in each of the last two, emerging as a dominant force in the middle for the Chiefs. The Mississippi State product racked up 30 tackles and 10.5 sacks in 2023 as Kansas City’s defensive performance finally caught up to the team’s offensive brilliance.
Still, it will be interesting to see what type of cap gymnastics the Chiefs pull off to fit Jones under the salary cap. Kansas City currently has just $1.3 million in space, though there are some easy fixes. Restructuring the contracts of Patrick Mahomes, Joe Thuney and Travis Kelce will open up around $48.5 million in space. The Chiefs could also open an additional $12.6 million by restructuring Jawaan Taylor’s contract, but it’s unlikely they want to push more money forward after a disappointing 2023.
Kansas City also continues to explore trading cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, who has a $19.8 million cap number after receiving the franchise tag.
Those cap realities won’t deter Chiefs fans from celebrating what was a pleasant weekend surprise. With Mahomes leading the offensive side and Jones serving as the stalwart on defense, there’s no reason why Kansas City should feel anything but enthused about its chances to three-peat next season.
