Chiefs, All-Pro DT Chris Jones finalize 5-year, $158.75M deal with $95M guaranteed

(AP) — KANSAS CITY, MO With the signing of a five-year, $158.75 million contract on Monday, the Kansas City Chiefs will be able to retain All-Pro tackle Chris Jones in the heart of their defensive line as they look to win a record-tying third straight Super Bowl.

The Associated Press was informed on Saturday night, when the agreement’s framework was established, that Jones will receive a guaranteed sum of $95 million over the first three years by a person with knowledge of the specifics. Because the financial details of one of the largest deals ever made for a defensive player in NFL history were not made public, the person talked to the AP under the condition of anonymity.

In a short video that was uploaded on Monday on X, formerly known as Twitter, Jones wished for “five more years of greatness.” “This is Everything we have discussed and fantasized about. Let’s go acquire some more Super Bowl rings now.

Jones is 30 in July, so the Chiefs are taking a chance that one of the best pass rushers in the league won’t decline.

Brett Veach, general manager of the Chiefs, stated, “He earned every bit of this record-breaking contract.” “Over the last eight years, he’s been critical to our success, including a significant impact in all three Super Bowl championship runs.”

“Having Chris imprisoned here for the foreseeable future makes us very proud.”

“The highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history” received congrats via Twitter from his agents, Michael and Jason Katz. Jones later gave Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt a “A+,” despite the fact that Hunt’s ownership of the team received a failing grade during the scouting combine, when the NFL Players Association unveiled its annual report card.

Andy Reid, the head coach of the Chiefs, described Chris as “one of the most talented players I’ve ever coached in my career.” You’ve seen how he’s developed into our defense’s leader and assisted younger players in honing their skills. He consistently exhibits the proper demeanor and enthusiasm, which spreads across our locker room.

At a victory parade after the Chiefs defeated San Francisco in overtime to win the Super Bowl, Jones assured the fans he would return to try to complete a three-peat, but it would involve securing a long-term contract with a team that was close to the salary cap.

The parties had attempted, but failed, to do that during the previous two offseasons, and Jones missed all of the team’s offseason activities last year due to a standoff, including a required minicamp and training camp. The team also lost to Detroit in Week 1. Before accepting a lucrative one-year contract with plenty of incentives that allowed him to return to the field this past season, he accrued over $4 million in fines.

Jones went on to start every game in the regular season and postseason, including the meaningless season-ending game against the Chargers, when he collected the last sack required to finish with 10 1/2 yards and earn the $1.25 million incentive stipulated in his contract.

The fact that Jones’ teammates hurried from the bench to celebrate the sack with him showed that they had no ill will toward his holdout.

Jones possessed an additional Half-sack in one of the coldest NFL games ever to win a wild-card game over Miami, then supported a team that hasn’t played a road playoff game in its recent run-win victories at Buffalo and Baltimore. Jones earned his third championship ring after the Chiefs defeated the 49ers in overtime, sending them to their fourth Super Bowl in five years.

Now, in Kansas City, the charming defensive tackle will have his chance to win a fourth.

After being selected by the Chiefs from Mississippi State in the second round of the 2016 draft, Jones immediately established himself as a mainstay in the starting lineup. In his second season, with 15 1/2 sacks, he was a second-team All-Pro. He then started the following year, he began his current streak of five straight Pro Bowl appearances.

This past season, he was selected as a first-team All-Pro for the second consecutive year.