KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Five-time Pro Bowler and three-time Super Bowl champion Chris Jones will remain with the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Chiefs officially announced that Jones would stay with the team Monday in a social-media post.
The CEO is staying home. pic.twitter.com/2EAKyEhxCY
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) March 11, 2024
“Chris is a future Pro Football Hall of Famer and, in our opinion, the best defensive tackle in the National Football League,” Chiefs General Manager Brett Veach said in a statement. “He earned every bit of this record-breaking contract. Over the last eight years, he’s been critical to our success, including his significant impact in all three Super Bowl championship runs. ... We’re certainly proud to have Chris locked in here for the foreseeable future.”
The deal is reportedly is for five years and worth $158.75 million with around $101 million of it guaranteed, including a $30-million signing bonus.
The average annual value of the deal — $31.75 million dollars per year. — tops Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who's contract averaged $31.6 million overall as the richest-ever for an NFL defensive tackle.
The final numbers on the #Chiefs deal with Chris Jones: 5 years, $158.75M base including $101M in guarantees. He gets a $30M signing bonus, the first two years guaranteed and his 2026 base salary guarantees in 2025.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2024
$31.75M years average, the highest-paid DT.
Jones' salary-cap number in 2024 will be only $7.35 million, but it jumps to $34.85 million in 2025 and $41.1 million in 2026, according to Over the Cap.
His cap hit in 2027 would be $34.35 million and $41.1 million in 2028.
Jones turns 30 in July, so the contract covers his age-30 to age-34 seasons. He has been a Pro Bowler each of the last five seasons and a first-team All-Pro during the last two seasons.
He tied his career-high with 15 1/2 sacks in 2022 and, despite missing the season-opener in 2023 amid a contract holdout, finished with 10 1/2 sacks last seasons.
“Chris is one of the most talented players I’ve coached in my career,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said in a statement. “He’s really grown into being the leader of our defense, and you’ve seen how he’s helped younger players become better at their craft. He shows up every day with the right attitude and energy, and that’s infectious in our locker room. I’m happy for Chris and his family. We have more work to do here, and Chris is going to be a big part of that.”
Jones — who has 75 1/2 sacks in 123 career games, all with Kansas City — also tied his career-high with 29 quarterback hits each of the last two seasons. He also had 29 QB hits and 15 1/2 sacks in 2018.
Jones, a former 2016 second-round pick, was set to become a free agent and would have been able to speak with other teams about a contract when the NFL's tampering period opens at 3 p.m. on Monday had a deal not been struck.
“I’d like to congratulate Chris and his family, along with Brett Veach and his staff, on getting this well-deserved deal done before free agency,” Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said in a statement. “Chris belongs in a Chiefs uniform. He’s an elite player in the National Football League, a key component to our defense, and a leader in the locker room. We’ve felt his impact on the field and in the community. Over the last several years, he’s been essential to our success in winning multiple Super Bowls, and we know that he’ll play a vital role in sustaining that success moving forward.”
Jones took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to celebrate the deal.
KC….5 more years of greatness! 3x pic.twitter.com/gds8ecwCmJ
— Chris Jones (@StoneColdJones) March 10, 2024
Free agency formally beings at 3 p.m. on Wednesday.
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