Watch: Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones announces 2024 plans
Fresh off their Super Bowl LVIII win, the Chiefs are already dreaming of a three-peat. During the team's championship parade on Wednesday, 2024 free-agent defensive lineman Chris Jones emphasized that he intends to be part of the ride.
"We will be back here next year," said Jones. "I ain't going nowhere, baby," he exclaimed. His declaration has several ripple effects. First, it significantly increases Kansas City's odds of winning a third consecutive Lombardi Trophy.
In the Chiefs' 25-22 overtime win over the 49ers, Jones had a team-high six pressures, including a massive one to blow up San Francisco's third-and-4 from the 9-yard line in overtime.
While his announcement might not help him in contract negotiations – Jones' agent humorously took to social media to tell bartenders to stop serving his client alcohol – it's a boon to the defensive tackles in the 2024 free-agent class. Justin Madubuike, Christian Wilkins and D.J. Reader could already expect sizable contracts, but their value will increase with Jones effectively off the board.
Per Spotrac, Jones, a two-time All-Pro, has an expected market value of $28.4 million per year, the second-highest average annual salary among defensive linemen (Aaron Donald, $31.7 million).
He's been a key contributor to Kansas City's dynasty and other organizations will surely want to duplicate the team's model.
Without Jones standing alongside them, the defensive tackles on the market just became more attractive.
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