Chiefs Plan To Franchise Tag DT Chris Jones

According to Ian Rapoport, the Chiefs will use the franchise tag on DT Chris Jones with the hopes of signing him to a long-term deal. 

This isn’t a big surprise, as Jones is Kansas City’s biggest free agent and a major part of its defense.

Jones has been a key part of the Chiefs’ defensive line and has been one of the best interior linemen in the NFL the past couple of seasons with 24.5 sacks since 2018. 

Jones is reportedly seeking a deal similar in value to teammate Frank Clark’s five-year, $105 million contract that included $63.5 million guaranteed. However, Kansas City was reportedly offering him closer to $42 million guaranteed over the first three years in a long-term deal.

Kansas City has other major contracts to consider, notably QB Patrick Mahomes who’s eligible for a record-breaking extension this offseason. But expect Jones to be a priority for the Chiefs as well. 

The tag is expected to cost the Chiefs around $16.27 million fully guaranteed for the 2020 season.

Jones, 25, is a former second-round pick of the Chiefs back in 2016. He just finished the final year of his four-year, $6.231 million contract and made a base salary of $1.19 million in the final year of the agreement.

In 2019, Jones appeared in 13 games for the Chiefs and recorded 36 tackles, nine sacks, one forced fumble, one recovery and four pass defenses.

We have him included in our Top 100 – 2020 Free Agents list.