Just a few days separated Jones, the league’s best interior defensive lineman, according to some, from Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald. However, the Chiefs are bringing back their game-changing defender for a shot at a three-peat.
Perhaps it’s no coincidence that Jones’ contract extension was reached right after defensive lineman Justin Madubuike and the Baltimore Ravens reached a big agreement.
According to Rapoport, Jones’ contract should make him the highest-paid defensive tackle in the NFL, at about $32 million annually. That surpasses Donald’s current yearly salary of $31.6 million, according to Over the Cap.
The Chiefs’ top free agent, Jones, has never wavered in his desire to remain with the team. General manager Brett Veach most recently stated at the NFL Scouting Combine that re-signing his explosive defensive lineman was “at the top” of his priority list.
It has now materialized.
Jones, 29, has won three Super Bowls, been a Pro Bowler five times, and been an All-Pro twice. He has two consecutive seasons with ten or more sacks, and KC is known for having him step up in crunch time.
Jones was hoping for a long-term contract extension with the Chiefs during the previous offseason, but he opted to wait until a new one-year agreement was reached. Therefore, even if Jones and the Chiefs won the Super Bowl once more, there was always a potential contract dispute.
Jones persevered through the team’s Week 1 loss to the Detroit Lions this season, but with a lucrative new deal in hand, he looks set to be on the field for the Chiefs’ season opener in 2024.
