The Kansas City Chiefs made a big move Friday afternoon in the bid to keep star defensive tackle Chris Jones on the team for the 2024 season. The five-time All-Pro pass rusher has been a major part of the Chiefs’ three Super Bowl dynasty.
Chris Jones played on a one-year deal in 2023
Questions surrounded Jones’ future with the Chiefs before the 2023 season and during Super Bowl week. Jones held out before the start of the season because he wanted a contract closer to Los Angeles Rams star Aaron Donald. He agreed to a one-year contract after the Chiefs Week 1 loss to the Detroit Lions
Jones said after the Super Bowl he wanted to return to Kansas City for the threepeat. He also wants money, and there is only so much of that in the Chiefs’ salary cap for 2024.
As of Friday, the Chiefs have $15 million to spend before the 2024 season, per Oer The Cap. They need much of that money to sign draft picks, emergency cash for next season, and free agency.
The Kansas City Chiefs sent Jones a big check on Friday
Dec 10, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) pressures Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Per Ian Rapoport with the NFL Network, the Chiefs made the decision to pick up the option on Jones’ contract. They will have the option to franchise tag him. The Chiefs also paid him $4.25 million from incentives he earned.
A long-term deal is a ways away
Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) is pressured by Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) in the second half in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
The Chiefs will try to work out a long-term deal before free agency, but the two sides are far from a deal. The Chiefs now have the option to keep him in Kansas City with the franchise tag. They could use it, but that’s a risky move to use on a player who was willing to miss part of the regular season in 2023.
But Jones can’t afford to sit out a whole season. He’ll be 30 next season. While the franchise tag would cost the Chiefs quite a bit, it’s still cheaper than Donald’s contract and would be only for one year.
