Chris Jones News - Sportsnaut

Reports: DT Chris Jones agrees to 5-year, $95 million deal with Chiefs

Sportsnaut — Sun, 10 Mar 2024 06:45:08 +0000

Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive tackle Chris Jones agreed to a five-year, $95 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, ESPN and NFL Network reported Saturday night.

All the money in the first three years of the deal — $95 million — is guaranteed, per the reports. Once pen goes to paper, Jones will have the highest average annual salary for a defensive tackle in NFL history.

Los Angeles Rams star Aaron Donald held the previous record at $31.6 million per year.

Kansas City was able to lock Jones up just before he hit free agency. He is now set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2029.

After the reports of the deal surfaced, Jones took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share his excitement.

“Letssss gooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!” Jones said in a post, which was followed by another that said, “KC….5 more years of greatness! 3x”

Letssss gooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!

— Chris Jones (@StoneColdJones) March 10, 2024

Jones, 29, is a five-time Pro Bowl selection and a three-time Super Bowl champion. He appeared in 16 games (all starts) last season, recording 10.5 sacks, 30 tackles and 29 quarterback hits.

In 123 career games (102 starts) across eight seasons with the Chiefs, Jones has amassed 75.5 sacks, 273 tackles, 175 quarterback hits, 12 forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one pick-6.

–Field Level Media

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Chiefs place $19.8M franchise tag on CB L’Jarius Sneed

Sportsnaut — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 21:30:03 +0000

Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs placed the franchise tag on cornerback L’Jarius Sneed on Monday.

Provided he signs the tag, Sneed will earn $19.8 million in the 2024 season. The two sides can continue to negotiate a long-term deal until mid-July under league rules.

The Chiefs selected Sneed in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He played last season on the final year of a four-year, $3.93 million deal signed in July 2020.

Using the tag on the 27-year-old Sneed means it’s no longer available for defensive lineman Chris Jones, who earned $19.5 million last season. The Chiefs reportedly are attempting to re-sign Jones, 29, but he could opt to test the free agent market when it opens next week.

The two-time All-Pro combined for 26 sacks the past two seasons.

Sneed started all 16 games he played last season and made 78 tackles, intercepted two passes, had 14 pass breakups and recovered a fumble.

In 57 career games (54 starts), Sneed has 303 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 10 interceptions, 40 passes defensed, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.

–Field Level Media

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Report: Chiefs pick up contract option on star DT Chris Jones

Sportsnaut — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 00:50:14 +0000

Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs have picked up the contract option on star defensive tackle Chris Jones and will keep the right to place a franchise tag on him in the offseason, according to an NFL Network report Friday.

The Chiefs paid him $4.25 million he had earned in incentives under a one-year contract he signed last September after his holdout from training camp through Week 1 of the 2023 season, according to the report.

The 2024 projected franchise tag for a defensive tackle is $19,753,000 based on the top five salaries at the position, according to Over The Cap. Jones would become a free agent in March if Kansas City doesn’t use the tag or reach an agreement with him.

Jones, 29, was first-team All-Pro in 2022 and 2023 and a five-time Pro Bowl selection. He tied for the team lead this season with 10.5 sacks, and led the Chiefs with 13 tackles for loss and 29 quarterback hits in 16 games (all starts).

One of the standouts for the Chiefs in their overtime victory over San Francisco last Sunday in Super Bowl LVIII, Jones had six quarterback pressures, including on a third-and-4 to force the 49ers to kick a field goal.

Jones has played his entire eight-year career in Kansas City, which selected him in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of Mississippi State. He has 75.5 career sacks and 273 tackles, including 30 this past season.

Also on Friday, the Chiefs announced they have extended the contract of special teams coordinator Dave Toub after 11 seasons in Kansas City.

A member of head coach Andy Reid’s initial staff with the Chiefs, Toub, 61, added the title of assistant head coach in 2018.

–Field Level Media

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Chiefs activate DT Chris Jones

Sportsnaut — Sat, 16 Sep 2023 18:15:01 +0000

Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs activated Chris Jones on Saturday, paving the way for the star defensive tackle to make his season debut against the host Jacksonville Jaguars.

The move comes one day after head coach Andy Reid told reporters that Jones would play in Sunday’s game against the Jaguars (1-0).

Jones, 29, ended his holdout that began in training camp after agreeing Monday to a new one-year deal with incentives that reportedly could earn him more than his base salary of $19.5 million — the final pay due on his four-year, $80 million contract signed in 2020.

Jones racked up 15.5 sacks in 17 games last season and earned his fourth Pro Bowl nod. In 107 games (86 starts) for the Chiefs since being drafted in the second round in 2016, Jones has 65 sacks, 12 forced fumbles and 243 tackles.

Also on Saturday, the Chiefs (0-1) activated running back La’Mical Perine and defensive tackle Matt Dickerson from the practice squad and waived cornerback Darius Rush.

–Field Level Media

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Chiefs’ Travis Kelce (knee), Chris Jones return to practice

Sportsnaut — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 17:40:01 +0000

Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Travis Kelce (knee) will return to practice Wednesday in a limited capacity and onetime holdout Chris Jones will also practice and play for Kansas City in Week 2.

Those were the updates ib Wednesday from Chiefs coach Andy Reid, who added that only running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness) will miss the week’s first official practice.

The Chiefs (0-1) play at Jacksonville (1-0) on Sunday.

Kelce, 33, injured his knee at practice on Sept. 5 and was diagnosed with a bone bruise, ultimately missing the season opener, a stunning 21-20 home loss to the Detroit Lions.

An eight-time Pro Bowl tight end, Kelce has totaled 814 catches for 10,344 yards and 69 touchdowns in 144 career games (137 starts) with the Chiefs.

Kelce had previously missed only three games since 2014. He sat out two games when the Chiefs rested many of their starters and missed one game when he had COVID-19 in 2021.

Jones, 29, ended his holdout Monday after agreeing to a new one-year deal. The team didn’t announce financial details with the defensive tackle.

Jones was previously scheduled to make a base salary of $19.5 million this season, the finale of his four-year, $80 million contract signed in 2020.

Jones racked up 15.5 sacks in 17 games last season and earned his fourth Pro Bowl nod, along with his first time as a first-team All-Pro selection. In 107 games (86 starts) for the Chiefs since being drafted in the second round in 2016, Jones has 65 sacks, 12 forced fumbles and 243 total tackles.

–Field Level Media

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Chris Jones ends holdout, signs new 1-year deal with Chiefs

Sportsnaut — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 22:00:01 +0000

Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones ended his holdout and agreed to a new one-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs.

The team announced the contract Monday afternoon but did not release financial details. ESPN reported that “multiple incentives” were added that would allow Jones to make “considerably” more money.

“Chris is an elite player in this league, and over the least seven years, he’s really developed into a leader on our team,” Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said in a statement. “He’s been instrumental to our success and Super Bowl championship runs and it was a priority for us to keep him in a Chiefs uniform.”

Jones was previously scheduled to make a base salary of $19.5 million this season, the final season of his four-year, $80 million contract signed in 2020.

He sat out the Chiefs’ season opener on Thursday, a 21-20 home loss to the Detroit Lions.

–Field Level Media

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Chiefs’ Kadarius Toney set for opener; Chris Jones remains a holdout

Sportsnaut — Sun, 03 Sep 2023 18:00:04 +0000

Credit: Michael Chow/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Wide receiver Kadarius Toney has recovered from knee surgery and will be on the field Thursday night when the Kansas City Chiefs open the season against the Detroit Lions. Defensive tackle Chris Jones is another story.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Sunday that Toney is “good to go” after missing most of training camp since arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his knee on July 25.

As for Jones, who is holding out in a contract dispute, he did not report to practice again Sunday.

“I don’t know when he’s coming or not coming,” Reid said.

Jones, 29, has been incurring daily fines of $50,000 since the start of training camp. He said on social media last month that he can afford to forfeit his weekly game checks and is prepared to sit out until Week 8.

Jones finished third in Defensive Player of the Year balloting last season after matching his career best of 15.5 sacks. The two-time Super Bowl champion has 65 sacks in 107 games (86 starts) over seven NFL seasons with the Chiefs.

As for Toney, 24, he had 16 catches for 171 yards and two touchdowns in nine games split between the New York Giants and Chiefs last season. The Chiefs acquired Toney from the Giants on Oct. 27 in exchange for a compensatory third-round pick and a sixth-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Toney’s biggest moments with Kansas City came in the 38-35 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII. Toney set a Super Bowl record with a 65-yard punt return that set up a fourth-quarter touchdown. He also caught a 5-yard scoring pass earlier in the final period.

–Field Level Media

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Chiefs’ Travis Kelce pleads with Chris Jones to end holdout

Sportsnaut — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 19:30:02 +0000

Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Travis Kelce admits he doesn’t fully understand defensive tackle Chris Jones’ decision to engage in a holdout. Kelce just wants his teammate back with the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.

“Chris, can you please come back?” the star tight end said on his New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce podcast. “You’re really scaring me, man. I don’t get it. You must know something that I don’t know because I just don’t get it. I really want to get another Super Bowl ring with you, brother. This is me bargaining you to just come back and play football for the Chiefs. Please, we need you. We need you bad, and I don’t know what the situation is.

“He’s just the best defensive player in the league right now. He’s deserving of all the money in the world. Chris, I love you. Please come back now.”

A four-time Pro Bowl selection and a 2022 first-team All-Pro, Jones has one season remaining on the four-year, $80 million contract he signed with the Chiefs in 2020. He’s scheduled to make a base salary of $19.5 million this season.

Jones, 29, recently threatened over social media to extend his holdout to as far as Week 8 if negotiations don’t improve. He currently is on the reserve/did not report list.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Friday he doesn’t take issue with Jones’ decision to stay away from the team.

“Chris has chosen to go this route,” Reid said. “Some other guys have chosen to get their deals done and come in and play. I’m not here to criticize one way or the other. We’ve had a lot of success with the guys that we have and we go with it.

“Other than that, I take the distractions and throw them out the door and let’s get on with what’s real.”

What’s real is the Chiefs open the season against the visiting Detroit Lions on Thursday.

–Field Level Media

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Chiefs’ Chris Jones willing to hold out until Week 8

Sportsnaut — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 16:08:06 +0000

Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones appears to have an established timetable as to when he plans to end his holdout and rejoin the team.

It’s Week 8.

That was Jones’ answer when he was asked on Twitter about his potential return to the team. His reasoning was because he “can afford it.”

Jones, 29, has been incurring daily fines of $50,000 since the start of training camp. He’ll also willingly forfeit his weekly game check, which is approximately $1.1 million.

A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Jones has one season remaining on the four-year, $80 million contract he signed with the Chiefs in 2020. He’s scheduled to make a base salary of $19.5 million this season and can earn $500,000 for a workout bonus and a $1.25 million incentive bonus if he records 10 sacks this season.

“There’s been no communication, so I don’t know what’s going to go there. Whatever happens, happens, and if he’s not there, the game goes on, right? That’s how it works,” Kansas City coach Andy Reid said Wednesday.

–Field Level Media

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Report: Chiefs DT Chris Jones does not report to camp

Sportsnaut — Sat, 22 Jul 2023 21:40:06 +0000

Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

As expected, Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones did not report to training camp on Saturday, multiple outlets reported.

Jones’ contract standoff with the team could span the team’s two-week camp or beyond.

Jones is entering the final year of his contract as the defensive tackle market continues to spike upward. That includes the four-year, $96 million deal recently signed by New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.

Jones had a pass-rush win rate of 21 percent, best in the NFL at the position, last season.

Jones, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, signed a four-year, $80 million contract in July 2020. He’s scheduled to take home a base salary of $19.5 million in 2023. The 28-year-old can earn $500,000 for a workout bonus and a $1.25 million incentive bonus if he records 10 sacks this season.

Jones, who turned 29 earlier this month, finished third in defensive player of the year balloting last season after matching his career best of 15.5 sacks. He has 65 sacks in 107 games (86 starts) over seven NFL seasons.

The Tennessee Titans’ Jeffery Simmons signed a four-year, $94 million deal that falls just $1 million short of the full four-year value of Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald’s existing contract. Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne (four years, $90M) and Dexter Lawrence of the New York Giants (four years, $87.5M) also jumped Jones among highest-paid DTs.

–Field Level Media

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