The Chiefs faced key decisions on two defensive stars from their Super Bowl-winning campaign during the 2024 NFL offseason. At least one of those decisions has been made.
L'Jarius Sneed and Chris Jones were each hitting free agency, and keeping both would prove challenging for the Chiefs. Each was expected to receive deals worth more than $20 million per season, but Kansas City had just over $23 million in cap space to start the offseason.
When the Chiefs franchise tagged Sneed, it was presumed Jones wouldn't return to the team. Andy Reid and Chiefs general manager Brett Veach found a way to create some salary cap space, allowing Jones to rejoin the team.
Kansas City fans first got an indication of Jones' return when the veteran defensive lineman made a cryptic post on X (formerly Twitter). The post included a picture of Jones and Reid, a screen that indicated he had an hour-long phone call and a caption that simply read, "KC……"
KC…… pic.twitter.com/yODPsrCYf7
— Chris Jones (@StoneColdJones) March 7, 2024
Many read that as a message to Chiefs fans that things were going well in Jones' negotiations with the club.
Sure enough, Jones inked an extension shortly after his post. That will allow the 29-year-old defensive tackle to remain in Kansas City, his home since he was selected in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
Here's a look at Jones' contract extension and what it could mean for the Chiefs.
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Chris Jones contract details
Jones signed a five-year contract, worth $158.75 million to return to the Chiefs for the 2024 NFL season and beyond. The contract contains $101 million in guarantees and makes him the highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history in average annual value (AAV), per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
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.
The total value of Jones' contract was not immediately disclosed when his extension was announced, but it was eventually revealed that he would make $31.75 million in AAV. That is more annually than Aaron Donald ($31.6 million AAV) but less than Nick Bosa ($34 million AAV), the highest-paid player in the NFL.
Jones made $19.5 million during the 2023 NFL season after he agreed to a restructured one-year contract with the Chiefs after their Week 1 loss to the Lions. Jones didn't play in that 22-21 defeat because he was holding out from the team to get a new deal, and the Chiefs quickly realized his importance to their defense.
Jones played the previous four seasons for the Chiefs on a four-year, $80 million extension. He has career earnings of about $90.2 million, but his next deal will more than double that.
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Chris Jones stats
Jones is well worth the contract Kansas City is giving him. The Mississippi State product is one of the most consistent interior pass rushers in the NFL and frequently makes huge, winning plays for the Chiefs defense.
Notably, Jones had a key pressure on Brock Purdy during overtime in Super Bowl 58 to force the 49ers quarterback to throw the ball away. The 49ers settled for a field goal because of the pressure, and the Chiefs ultimately answered with a touchdown to win their second consecutive Super Bowl.
Jones can play both inside at defensive tackle and on the edge at defensive end, so his versatility is an added boost. He also is always productive and has averaged 11.2 sacks per season over the last six years.
Below is a look at Jones' career stats:
| Year | Games | Tackles | TFL | Sacks | Pass defenses | Forced fumbles |
| 2016 | 16 | 45 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| 2017 | 16 | 54 | 5 | 6.5 | 7 | 4 |
| 2018 | 16 | 75 | 19 | 15.5 | 5 | 2 |
| 2019 | 13 | 59 | 8 | 9 | 4 | 1 |
| 2020 | 15 | 59 | 3 | 7.5 | 4 | 2 |
| 2021 | 14 | 45 | 8 | 9 | 5 | 1 |
| 2022 | 17 | 74 | 17 | 15.5 | 4 | 2 |
| 2023 | 16 | 50 | 13 | 10.5 | 4 | 0 |
NFL's highest-paid defensive players for 2024
Jones' AAV ranks second-highest among defensive players in the NFL, edging Donald by just $50,000. Below is a look at the NFL's highest-paid defenders for 2024, according to Spotrac.
| Rank | Player | Team | AAV |
| 1 | Nick Bosa | 49ers | $34 million |
| 2 | Chris Jones | Chiefs | $31.75 million |
| 3 | Aaron Donald | Rams | $31.7 million |
| 4 | T.J. Watt | Steelers | $28 million |
| 5 | Joey Bosa | Chargers | $27 million |
| 6 | Myles Garrett | Browns | $25 million |
| 7 | Montez Sweat | Bears | $24.5 million |
| 8 | Brian Burns | Panthers | $24.01 million |
| Josh Allen | Jaguars | $24.01 million | |
| 10 | Quinnen Williams | Jets | $24 million |
| Rashan Gary | Packers | $24 million |
