Chris Jones didn’t have to test free agency to get a record contract.
After making the Pro Bowl in each of the past five seasons and being named first-team All-Pro the past two seasons, Jones has reportedly agreed to a five-year contract extension with the Chiefs that includes $95 million guaranteed. .
Jones’ salary will make him the highest paid defensive tackle in history, surpassing Aaron Donald ($31.6 million), according to his agents.
Ultimately, after more than a year of negotiations, the 30-year-old Jones did not need to take the hometown discount to continue playing in the Super Bowl.
He earned three rings as the best player on the other side of the ball from Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
Jones held out until last season’s first game (a loss to the Lions), then signed an enhanced one-year contract that allowed the Chiefs to team up with Jones this offseason.
Perhaps knowing it would breed bad blood, the Chiefs instead placed cornerback L’Arius Snead on the franchise tag with a possible trade, testing the open market with Jones giving up leverage. I took a risk.
Instead, the two sides reached an agreement about 36 hours before free agent cheating began Monday at noon.
Last month, Jones announced to the crowd at the Chiefs’ Super Bowl 58 victory parade that he wanted to remain with the Chiefs.
Justin Madubuike, a young but unproven player, signed a four-year, $98 million ($75.5 million guaranteed) extension with the Ravens on Friday.
Even if that was a hurdle, Jones reportedly had to pay all guaranteed money for the first three years of his contract, which he cleared by a large margin.
Jones was originally ranked No. 2 on the Post’s list of the top 30 available free agents.
Among defensive players, the 49ers’ Nick Bosa ($119.9 million), the Chargers’ Joey Bosa ($102 million), and the Browns’ Myles Garrett ($102 million) earned more than Jones. The contract money is guaranteed.
Hours after tweeting an image of an hourglass to signal that time was running out, Jones celebrated by writing, “KC…5 more years have been amazing!” 3 times. ”
