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Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is the unquestioned leader of the Kansas City Chiefs offense. As big as Mahomes’ impact is on the offense, defensive tackle Chris Jones has a similar impact on the Chiefs’ defense.
Simply put, he’s a superstar. The five-time Pro Bowler has been a huge part of their three Super Bowl wins in five seasons.
The 29-year-old Mississippi State alum is due to be an unrestricted free agent. Chris Jones actually held out for a new contract last season, but ultimately agreed to a one-year deal after Week 1.
Clearly, the Chiefs need to bring him back. Just look at the end of Super Bowl LVIII a few weeks ago. His pressure on the 49ers’ 3rd down play deep in Kansas City territory in overtime forced the ball out of Brock Purdy’s hands too quickly. Had he not pressured Purdy, it was likely a walk-in touchdown for the San Francisco 49ers.
He’s had so many plays like that over the years in crucial moments, despite only having 2.5 sacks in his career in the playoffs. I think everyone would acknowledge that he’s been an incredibly clutch player.
But, a new deal won’t come cheap. As one of the best defensive players in the league and still very much in his prime, Jones is due to get big money.
With so much of the cap committed to Patrick Mahomes, and plenty of young defensive players that need extensions soon, cap space could get tight in Kansas City.
But, general manager Brett Veach has getting a new deal done with Chris Jones as his top priority, and a report by The Athletic says that optimism is growing for the best free agent on the market.
The race to retain Jones began this week. The Chiefs hope to do just that before 11 a.m. CT on March 11 when agents of unrestricted free agents can enter contract negotiations with any interested team. Chiefs general manager Brett Veach acknowledged Tuesday that re-signing Jones is the team’s top priority. By Thursday afternoon — when several members of the organization flew home to Kansas City — there was “growing optimism,” according to league sources, that the Chiefs will agree to a new contract with Jones before free agency.
The article also says that Jones wants a deal that pays him around $30 million a year, with multiple years and guarantees higher than the $80 million TJ Watt has guaranteed in his deal.
That’s a steep price to pay. But, for a player of Jones’ caliber and with the Super Bowl window right now while this core is still together, it seems like a no-brainer.
Free agency officially begins on March 13.