Report: Chris Jones, KC Chiefs Agree to Long-Term Contract Ahead of Free Agency
The Kansas City Chiefs came into the 2024 offseason with two main priorities. At the top of the list was figuring out the long-term status of star defensive tackle Chris Jones. With just days until the start of the legal tampering period and free agency, they've done just that.
Jones isn't going anywhere. Per a report from Adam Schefter of ESPN, as well as others, Kansas City and Jones have agreed to terms on a lucrative contract to keep him in a Chiefs uniform.
"Chiefs and five-time Pro-Bowl DT Chris Jones reached agreement on a record 5-year deal that includes $95 million guaranteed and allows KC to keep its best defender before free agency begins, per his agents, @KatzBrosSports," Schefter wrote. "Deal is expected to be the highest average salary ever given to an NFL defensive tackle."
In a follow-up tweet, Schefter adds that while details are still being finalized, Jones will see all money in the first three years be guaranteed. That staggering $95M figure over three seasons "will include the highest-ever average annual DT salary." Just this week, Joel Corry of CBS Sports predicted a four-year pact worth $132.5M.
It's certainly been a long time coming for Jones and the Chiefs. Last offseason, despite having a year remaining on his deal, he held out during the summer and into the first week of the regular season. Returning on a new one-year contract for Week 2, he logged 10.5 sacks in 16 regular-season games and notched an All-Pro nod for the second year in a row. He then recorded six quarterback hits and half-sack during the club's run to another world championship.
Speaking to James Palmer of NFL Network at this year's NFL Scouting Combine, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach was optimistic about striking a deal.
"We have a great deal of respect for his agents and, obviously, we have a great deal of respect for Chris," Veach said. "I think our goal and intentions were to get something done last year. We weren't able to get it done — we hit a little rough patch there the week of that Detroit game — but give him and his crew a ton of credit because we met right after that game and had a great conversation. We talked about some of the things in how this may all play out, so here we are. I think to your point, we have that kind of backlog of dialogue that we've shared. Listen, we're cautiously optimistic. He's a great player and these things are never easy, but we're going to certainly put our best foot forward and try to get something done."
What does the Chris Jones re-signing mean for the Chiefs?
The Chiefs' best defensive player being slated to return is obviously a massive development for the franchise. Not only is it a big deal from a 2024 standpoint — a three-peat pursuit is back on track — but it also keeps Jones in Kansas City for what should be the tail end of his prime in 2025 and 2026. As he enters his age 30, 31 and 32 campaigns, he'll be able to bolster the interior of the defensive line and the pass rush as a whole.
Now, the organization can shift its focus to resolving its ongoing situation with cornerback L'Jarius Sneed. Sneed, who turned in the best year of his career in 2023-24, was recently franchise tagged. That $19.8M cap charge isn't something the team appears too likely to carry throughout the offseason. With Sneed's camp having permission from the Chiefs to see what's out there in a trade market, things will look to pick up on that front soon.
Earlier this week, Dianna Russini of The Athletic joined The Athletic Football Show to speak about Sneed's potential market. She hinted at a first-round pick possibly coming back to Kansas City, which is more than many have expected or estimated. Russini also warned the football world to be patient with a trade process unfolding (if it does at all).
"This is gonna take more time than we expect," Russini said. "Like, this isn't going to happen in the next few days. A lot of stuff needs to still get worked out. So, I think this is one of those moves that we'll see probably after that rush next week of free agency signings, even perhaps that week after for this to get done."
