The Kansas City Chiefs are one step closer to securing superstar defensive tackle Chris Jones for at least another year.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Chiefs picked up the option on Jones’ contract which gives them the right to place the franchise tag on him. On top of that, the future Hall of Famer was paid out $4.25 million in incentives that he reached.
Jones missed the Chiefs’ season opener against the Detroit Lions due to a contract holdout. After the game, the two sides agreed to a restructured one-year deal that added incentives to his contract for 2023.
The 29-year-old turned in another excellent season, racking up 10.5 sacks in 16 regular season games. Jones had 0.5 sacks, one forced fumble and a pair of pass defenses in four postseason games, helping the Chiefs secure a second straight Super Bowl championship.
Jones has been the Chiefs’ most valuable player on defense during their dynastic run, one that has seen them play in six straight AFC Championship Games and four Super Bowls. Without Jones, the Chiefs simply wouldn’t have won three Lombardi Trophies over five years.
Now we wait and see if the two sides can hammer out a long-term deal before free agency commences next month.
