In a ground-breaking move that sent shockwaves through the NFL, the Kansas City Chiefs cemented their dominance by signing defensive tackle Chris Jones to a historic five-year deal. This deal positions Jones as the highest-paid defensive lineman and ensures that the game-changing force becomes the cornerstone of the Chiefs’ unprecedented three-peat back
The staggering figure, with a substantial portion guaranteed, represents a seismic shift in the financial landscape for elite defensive talents. By securing this jaw-dropping payday, Jones not only ascends to the throne as the king of defensive tackle contracts but also serves notice that the Chiefs are going all-in to keep their championship core intact for years to come.
The Chris Jones deal keeps the Chiefs’ dynasty intact!
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In a blockbuster move, the Kansas City Chiefs have locked up defensive tackle Chris Jones with a mammoth 5-year, $95 million contract extension. As tweeted by NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, “The #Chiefs and All-Pro DT Chris Jones have a blockbuster deal to keep him in KC, per his agents @KatzBrosSports. The top free agent is off the market and a huge move for the champs.”
Congratulations @StoneColdJones pic.twitter.com/XgJVvAAKna
— Katz Brothers Sports (@KatzBrosSports) March 10, 2024
The specifics, per Rapoport: “Chris Jones’ 5-year deal should make him the NFL’s highest-paid DT at around $32M per year. The first $95M or so are essentially guaranteed.” This record-shattering contract vaults Jones past Aaron Donald as the highest-paid interior defensive lineman in football.
Jones was mere days away from hitting free agency, but the Chiefs ensured their “game-changing defender” would be anchoring the middle for their pursuit of an unprecedented three-peat title run.
Last month after the Super Bowl win, Jones made his intentions clear: “I need three of those rings, baby, we ain’t done yet. Kansas City we will be back here next year. And for those who want Chris Jones gone, I ain’t going nowhere, baby!”
The Defensive Tackle payday pecking order
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While Chris Jones has seized the financial crown, he’s joined an exclusive club of elite defensive tackles raking in massive paydays. At the time of Jones’ deal, Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams topped the interior D-line salary ranks at $31.66 million per year on his 3-year, $95 million contract signed in 2022.
Nipping at Donald’s heels are a trio of young stars who just cashed in. The New York Jets’ Quinnen Williams, Tennessee’s Jeffery Simmons, and Washington’s Daron Payne all signed lucrative long-term deals this offseason to battle for DT financial supremacy.
| 1 | Aaron Donald | Los Angeles Rams | $31.66 million (3 years, $95 million) |
| 2 | Quinnen Williams | New York Jets | $24 million (4 years, $96 million) |
| 3 | Jeffery Simmons | Tennessee Titans | $23.5 million (4 years, $94 million) |
| 4 | Daron Payne | Washington Commanders | $22.5 million (4 years, $90 million) |
| 4 | Dexter Lawrence | New York Giants | $22.5 million (4 years, $90 million) |
| 6 | Javon Hargrave | San Francisco 49ers | $21 million (4 years, $84 million) |
| 6 | Leonard Williams | New York Giants | $21 million (3 years, $63 million) |
| 6 | DeForest Buckner | Indianapolis Colts | $21 million (4 years, $84 million) |
| 9 | Chris Jones | Kansas City Chiefs | $19.5 million (1 year, $19.5 million) |
| 10 | Jonathan Allen | Washington Commanders | $18 million (4 years, $72 million) |
| 11 | Vita Vea | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | $17.75 million (4 years, $71 million) |
| 12 | Kenny Clark | Green Bay Packers | $17.5 million (4 years, $70 million) |
| 13 | Dre’Mont Jones | Seattle Seahawks | $17.17 million (3 years, $51.53 million) |
| 14 | Ed Oliver | Buffalo Bills | $17 million (4 years, $68 million) |
| 14 | Arik Armstead | San Francisco 49ers | $17 million (5 years, $85 million) |
| 16 | Grady Jarrett | Atlanta Falcons | $16.5 million (3 years, $49.5 million) |
| 17 | Cameron Heyward | Pittsburgh Steelers | $16.4 million (4 years, $65.6 million) |
| 18 | Zach Allen | Denver Broncos | $15.25 million (3 years, $45.75 million) |
| 19 | Dalvin Tomlinson | Cleveland Browns | $14.25 million (4 years, $57 million) |
| 20 | D.J. Reader | Cincinnati Bengals | $13.25 million (4 years, $53 million) |
| 21 | David Onyemata | Atlanta Falcons | $11.66 million (3 years, $35 million) |
| 22 | Davon Hamilton | Jacksonville Jaguars | $11.5 million (3 years, $34.5 million) |
| 22 | Maliek Collins | Houston Texans | $11.5 million (2 years, $23 million) |
| 24 | Davon Godchaux | New England Patriots | $10.4 million (2 years, $20.8 million) |
| 25 | Grover Stewart | Indianapolis Colts | $10.25 million (3 years, $30.75 million) |
| 25 | Zach Sieler | Miami Dolphins | $10.25 million (3 years, $30.75 million) |
| 27 | D.J. Jones | Denver Broncos | $10 million (3 years, $30 million) |
| 27 | Folorunso Fatukasi | Jacksonville Jaguars | $10 million (3 years, $30 million) |
| 27 | B.J. Hill | Cincinnati Bengals | $10 million (3 years, $30 million) |
| 30 | Sheldon Rankins | Houston Texans | $9.75 million (1 year, $9.75 million) |
| 31 | Larry Ogunjobi | Pittsburgh Steelers | $9.58 million (3 years, $28.75 million) |
| 32 | Sheldon Joseph-Day | Los Angeles Chargers | $8 million (3 years, $24 million) |
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With the league’s recent spending spree on premier defensive tackles, the financial bar keeps getting reset. But for now, it is the Chiefs who sit atop the mountain, appointing Chris Jones as the highest-paid interior force in the game’s trenches.
Read More: Chris Jones Parents: Meet Mom Mary Woodhouse & Dad Who Proudly Supported His NFL Dream
