Star defensive tackle Chris Jones of the Kansas City Chiefs has reworked his contract to include a substantial $5 million in incentives, adding an exciting twist to the upcoming NFL season, per NFL.com. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport unveiled the details of this contract adjustment on Tuesday, shedding light on the terms that could see Jones earning up to $25 million in the upcoming season, based on insider sources.
The core of Jones’ contract remains intact, with a base salary of $19.5 million, although this figure was slightly reduced by a $1.08 million game check for Week 1 and fines incurred for skipping training camp. However, the real intrigue lies in the potential for Jones to significantly boost his earnings through various performance-based incentives.
One notable aspect of this revised contract is that the Kansas City Chiefs have retained the option to franchise tag Chris Jones in 2024, which grants them considerable leverage over the star defensive tackle and the ability to potentially prevent him from entering the open market. The projected franchise tag number for Jones in 2024 is approximately $32.4 million, as reported by NFL Network’s James Palmer, representing a 120% increase over his 2023 cap number.
This contract adjustment follows a period of contract negotiations during which Jones held out throughout the offseason, aiming to secure a deal that would bring his pay closer to the league’s highest-paid defensive tackle, Aaron Donald, who boasts an average annual salary of $31.66 million. The compromise reached between Jones and the Chiefs is a unique and intriguing incentive-laden contract that aims to bridge the financial gap.
Jones’ absence was notable in the Chiefs’ Week 1 loss to the Lions, emphasizing his significance to the team’s defense. While the defense performed well overall, it faced challenges late in the game when Detroit’s offensive line exerted pressure. With Chris Jones back in the lineup for the upcoming clash against Jacksonville, the Chiefs are poised to regain their defensive prowess and strive to avoid falling more than one game under .500 for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era. This contract restructuring has undoubtedly added an extra layer of excitement and anticipation to the 2023 NFL season for Chiefs fans and football enthusiasts alike.
