NFL Extensions Tracker: Chiefs Likely to Franchise Tag All-Pro DT Chris Jones Despite a Super Bowl Winning Season

All teams have entered the offseason now. The Chiefs are looking to make some changes regarding star DT Chris Jones. This is the perfect time for them to get rid of redundant players. And all changes need to be made before the March deadline. Then there’s also the Draft coming up in April. So, housekeeping is in order.

There is some good news for Jones. KC was mostly all about defense this year. And now, after helping his squad win the Super Bowl, he may be retained by the team.

Good news for Chris Jones

The Chiefs have expressed their desire to keep star defensive tackle Chris Jones. And the feeling is mutual as Jones wishes to continue his career with the Chiefs. However, whether the two parties can reach a long-term agreement remains uncertain. In a procedural move, the Chiefs have exercised the option on Jones’ contract. This ensures they retain the right to franchise tag him if necessary.

This move comes after paying him $4.25 million in earned incentives. This step positions them to potentially keep him for the upcoming season. If a long-term deal isn’t reached or the franchise tag isn’t utilized, Jones will hit the free agent market in March. And this will give other teams an opportunity to pursue the All-Pro DT. However, the franchise tag comes with a significant cost of $32.16 million for a one-year deal.

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Despite ongoing negotiations, reports suggest that an agreement between the Chiefs and Jones is not that sure. With another All-Pro season under his belt, Jones is poised to capitalize on his success during the upcoming offseason. Let’s dive a little into the numbers of the deal.

Details of Jones’ contract

At the Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade, Chris Jones expressed his commitment to the team. He clearly does not want to go anywhere and aims to be part of the quest for a three-peat. Turning 30 in July, Jones is anticipated to sign a lucrative three-year contract worth $85,450,884. That brings the average annual value (AAV) to $28.4 million, according to Spotrac. This potential deal would position Jones as one of the highest-paid DTs in the league, trailing only Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams in terms of AAV.

With the Chiefs retaining the right to franchise tag Jones, attention now turns to this option. The projected franchise tag for Jones stands at $32,169,912, accounting for the provisions regarding prior year’s salary. Despite missing a game in the 2023 season, Jones continued to showcase his dominance. He also earned his second consecutive First-Team All-Pro selection and his fifth straight Pro Bowl nod. His impressive performance included 10.5 sacks, 29 quarterback hits, and 13 tackles for loss, further solidifying his value to the team as they secured their third Super Bowl victory.

Could he and the Chiefs come to a long-term agreement?

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