Chargers News: Elite All-Pro Free Agent Signing With AFC West Rival

The Chargers' division rival gets back their superstar defensive lineman.

On paper, the Los Angeles Chargers have improved, at least on the coaching side of things. Their next step is to have great free agent signings and a draft to get some serious players who complement coach Jim Harbaugh and his play style.  

While they are doing their best to improve for 2024 and beyond, their division rivals are doing the same. The Kansas City Chiefs, LA's division rivals, and the back-to-back Super Bowl champions are not close to being done. The Chiefs have signed their superstar interior defensive lineman Chris Jones to a five-year deal. 

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport was among the first to report on the biggest free agency signing so far. 

The top free agent on https://t.co/iLSuC0HswN is off the board: Our story on Chris Jones’ mega deal with the #Chiefs, as the All-Pro stays on a 5-year contract worth almost $160M with $95M in practical guarantees https://t.co/npeS59XdhE

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 10, 2024

Jones was set to hit the open market in a couple of days, but instead, the Chiefs will bring back their star defender. There was some chatter that the possibility of Jones finding a new home was in the cards, but the Chiefs ended up taking care of their three-time Super Bowl champion. 

Jones' deal makes him the highest-paid defensive tackle at around $32 million per year. 

He is one of the most accomplished players in his position. Outside of being a three-time Super Bowl champion, he is a two-time First-team All-Pro, three-time Second-team All-Pro, five-time Pro Bowler and a member of the PFWA All-Rookie team. 

The Chargers must deal with this defensive Stallworth for the next five years now.