Chris Jones Extension: Possible Framework

The clock continues to tick rapidly towards the start of the 2024 NFL league year. In just a mere 12 days, teams can officially begin announcing new deals with free agents. But for the Kansas City Chiefs, they are hoping to announce a contract extension with one particular pending free agent. That would be defensive tackle Chris Jones, of course. A Chris Jones contract extension could perhaps be the biggest contract given out to a Chiefs defensive player in team history. At least on an average annual salary basis.

With the offseason in full swing, Kansas City general manager Brett Veach has continued to call Jones a “top priority.” In terms of taking care of one of their own in-house free agents, no one comes close to Chris Jones for the Chiefs in the 2024 offseason. Last year’s holdout was not always easy to deal with, however. And in this year’s set of negotiations, it may not always be simple to get something done and across the finish line.

Where will the Chiefs and Chris Jones find common ground, if a contract extension eventually materializes? What main factors could be at play in completing the final framework of a new deal? Let’s kick it off.

Steady Production, Showing Up In Big Moments

Last week, we mentioned how a Chris Jones contract extension between the player and the team would likely have to result via compromise. But today, we are going to focus on some on-field factors and how they factor into a possible deal. First and foremost, Jones’ production as a pass rusher has been steady for the Kansas City defense. The Chiefs defender has accumulated double-digit sack seasons in back-to-back years. And in five of his last six seasons, Jones has tallied at least nine sacks in a year.

He has 67 total sacks over the last six seasons. That is good enough for an average of just over 11 sacks per season in each of those campaigns. More importantly, Chris Jones has been able to turn it up a notch in the biggest of moments. Look no further than the most recent playoff run for Kansas City and their stellar defense. Jones pressured Brock Purdy multiple times late in Super Bowl LVIII to help aid the Chiefs to victory and another championship. On the flip side, the defensive lineman batted down passes at the line of scrimmage, worked to create havoc in space and offer support on run defense. Simply put, Chris Jones had a hand in many crucial moments for the Chiefs defense in yet another playoff run.

Versatility Still Going Unnoticed?

Most people likely recognize the work that Chris Jones has put on tape over the last few seasons. At the same time, there are still times where this defender feels to go underappreciated, though. Outside of Aaron Donald‘s dominance with the Los Angeles Rams, no other defensive tackle has seen this stretch of consistent play among this current generation. Jones has simply continued to find ways to improve and fine-tune his craft while enjoying the prime of his career.

A major part of that consistent play, has been the versatility that Chris Jones has been able to show. He is still able to get home quickly by slicing through guards or centers as a defensive tackle from the interior. But over the last couple of seasons, Steve Spagnuolo has lined Jones up at defensive end in obvious pass situations. For him to show comfort and confidence against even the best opposing offensive tackles on the edge, Jones is frustrating offenses in a variety of ways as a pass rusher. And in turn, that is also opening up more opportunities for his teammates on the Chiefs defense. That added versatility has only made the game of Chris Jones more well-rounded.

Possible Framework Of Chris Jones Contract Extension

Here are some numbers that we know, regarding Chris Jones and his previous contract extension. He previously earned an average annual salary of $20 million each year on the four-year extension he signed in 2020. But after holding out last summer, we also know his 2023 salary ended up being a different number. Jones still earned a base salary of $19.5 million this past year. In addition, the KC defender earned a total of $22.6 million via incentives with some of his production, according to The Athletic. And as we have previously mentioned, the Chiefs last offered Chris Jones a two-year deal worth $54.5 million before the start of last season that was fully guaranteed.

There has been buzz about Chris Jones looking to be paid an average of at least $30 million per year on his next contract extension. Say Kansas City were to extend him with his average annual salary being at least $30 million. As a result, that would place him in at least the third-place spot, in terms of highest paid defensive players. Nick Bosa ($34 million average annual salary) and the aforementioned Donald ($31.666 million average annual salary) are the top two in highest average salaries per season for defensive players. The gap between Donald and the current third-place defensive player in highest salaries is roughly $3.66 million. That would be TJ Watt, who has an average annual salary of $28.002 million per season. When Watt signed his contract extension, it was a four-year deal worth $112 million with $80 million guaranteed.

That gives the Chiefs a clear framework or benchmark when trying to sign Chris Jones to a new contract extension. Additionally, Kansas City likely knows that term on the deal is possibly just as important to the player, as the money is, in comparison. Jones will turn 30 years old this upcoming summer. With another four-year deal or even a five-year pact, Jones could essentially retire while spending his entire career with the Chiefs. Obviously, that is something that Chris Jones has vocally expressed and hoped for amidst contract extension talks.