One of the biggest storylines heading into the 2024 NFL offseason was if the Kansas City Chiefs would be able to retain star defensive tackle Chris Jones. After a holdout last offseason, no such tactic would need to be used this year.
The Chiefs and Jones agreed to a massive new contract before the league’s free agency moratorium even began. The two sides came together on a record-setting deal, as Jones agreed to a five-year, $158.75 million contract.
As noted by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Chiefs have made Jones the highest-paid defensive tackle in the NFL with a yearly average of $31.75 million. There is only one defensive lineman in the NFL, Nick Bosa of the San Francisco 49ers, who makes more than Jones annually.
The defensive tackle market has boomed in recent seasons and Jones is the latest player to cash in. As Rapoport shared, his deal includes $101 million in guarantees with a $30 million signing bonus. The first two years of the deal are guaranteed and the base salary for the 2026 season will be guaranteed in 2025.
It is a monstrous deal for Jones, who has been seeking a long-term pact for multiple offseason. He has now received it, as there is a chance he will now playing his entire NFL career with the Chiefs.
That is a ton of money to pay a singular player, but Jones has earned it with his production on the field. He has made an All-Pro team or the Pro Bowl team in six consecutive seasons, recording 10.5 sacks in 2023.
One of the most disruptive defensive players in the league, Jones has now reset the defensive tackle market. It will be interesting to see if Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams, who held the record previously, will reset it with another long-term deal. But, this seems like one that Jones will be holding into for a little while.
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