The Kansas City Chiefs announced on Monday that the team has signed defensive lineman Chris Jones to a new long-term contract.
"I'd like to congratulate Chris and his family, along with Brett Veach and his staff, on getting this well-deserved deal done before free agency," Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said. "Chris belongs in a Chiefs uniform. He's an elite player in the National Football League, a key component to our defense, and a leader in the locker room. We've felt his impact on the field and in the community. Over the last several years, he's been essential to our success in winning multiple Super Bowls, and we know that he'll play a vital role in sustaining that success moving forward."
"Chris is a future Pro Football Hall of Famer and, in our opinion, the best defensive tackle in the National Football League," General Manager Brett Veach said. "He earned every bit of this record-breaking contract. Over the last eight years, he's been critical to our success, including his significant impact in all three Super Bowl championship runs. I'd like to thank my team, Chris Shea, and Jack Wolov, as well as Chris and his representation, Michael and Jason Katz, for their efforts and patience to get this done. We're certainly proud to have Chris locked in here for the foreseeable future."
"Chris is one of the most talented players I've coached in my career," Head Coach Andy Reid said. "He's really grown into being the leader of our defense, and you've seen how he's helped younger players become better at their craft. He shows up every day with the right attitude and energy, and that's infectious in our locker room. I'm happy for Chris and his family. We have more work to do here, and Chris is going to be a big part of that."
Jones (6-6, 310) has played in 123 games (102 starts) in eight NFL seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. His career numbers include 273 tackles (188 solo), 75.5 sacks (-528.5 yards), 78 tackles for loss and 175 pressures. Jones has two interceptions, one returned for a TD, 37 passes defensed, 12 forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. In 19 postseason games (17 starts), he owns 2.5 career postseason sacks, 38 tackles (21 solo), 16 pressures and 11 passes defensed.
Jones served as a team captain for the Chiefs during the 2022 and 2023 postseasons, including Super Bowls LVII and LVIII. He was named the 2023 AFC Defensive Player of the Year by the 101 committee. The five-time Pro Bowler and five-time AP All-Pro was originally drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round (37th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft. A Houston, Mississippi native, Jones played collegiately at Mississippi State.
