The Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs are bringing back one of their key defensive players.
Defensive tackle Chris Jones has reportedly agreed a new five-year deal with the team shortly before he was due to hit free agency this week.
The NFL Network reports that the deal includes $95million of guaranteed money, which would make him the league’s most highly-paid defensive player.
The 29-year-old was due to hit free agency on Wednesday, where he was generally considered to be the best player available, but will not hit the open market and can now target a historic three-peat with the Chiefs.
Jones earned first-team All-Pro honours for the second straight season in 2023 and was also voted to his fifth Pro Bowl as he played a key role in the Chiefs’ successful defence of their Super Bowl title.
Jones sat out the first week of the 2023 season as he pushed for a new deal, with a one-year contract agreed, but another Super Bowl ring - Jones’ third with the franchise - has meant he has finally been able to get his big payday.
The Chiefs drafted Jones in the second round of the 2016 draft and over his eight seasons in Kansas City so far he has registered 75.5 sacks, including an NFL record 11 games in a row with at least one sack.
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