Just a Bulldog Minute: Former Mississippi State Stars Find New NFL Homes in Free Agency

Take a look at where some of Mississippi State's top former players will suit up next season.

The first week of NFL free agency is nearing a close, and in just the first seven days, many big time moves were made across the entire league. 

Two former Bulldogs found new homes for next season, while one former star opted to stay with the team that drafted him yet again. 

Here is a rundown of the first week of NFL free agency for these Mississippi State legends.

Chris Jones Re-Signs with Chiefs - Five years, $158.75 Million

Starting things off this week was none other than now three-time Super Bowl champion Chris Jones. Jones re-signed with Kansas City, inking a five-year, 158.75 million dollar deal with over 100 million dollars in guarantees. 

Since joining the Chiefs in 2016, Jones has been one of the top defenders in the NFL and has the accolades to show for it. As previously mentioned, he is a three time Super Bowl champion and has two First Team All-Pro nods and five Pro Bowl appearances. 

Willie Gay, Jr Signs with Saints - One Year, $5 Million

Willie Gay, Jr. was a second round pick to Kansas City in 2020, and while he has been solid in his time with the Chiefs, has struggled to take the next step as an elite linebacker. 

In 2023, the former 4-star finished the season with 58 tackles and just one sack, a far cry from his 2022 output of nearly 90 tackles with 2.5 sacks. He joins the Saints on a one-year deal with a chance to prove himself as an established talent in the league. 

Denico Autry Signs with Texans - Two Years, $21.5 Million

Denico Autry, who went undrafted back in 2014, has put together an excellent ten year career up to this point. He spent the last three seasons in Tennessee and was a mainstay of the Titans defensive front. 

Joining the Texans, Autry enters an exciting situation in which the team is looking to take its next step in 2024. After a surprising playoff run in 2023, and the emergence what appear to be franchise players on both sides of the ball in C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson, Jr., Houston could easily be one of the NFL's most dangerous teams this season. 

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