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Chiefs Pick Up Option on Chris Jones’s Contract, per Report
The Kansas City Chiefs made a small step forward Friday in their pursuit to bring back defensive lineman Chris Jones next season.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Kansas City picked up the option on Jones’s contract, thus retaining the right to franchise tag him this offseason. The Chiefs also paid him $4.25 million in incentives that he earned.
This does not confirm that Jones will be back in Kansas City in 2024 and beyond. If the Chiefs don’t agree to a long-term contract with Jones or utilize the franchise tag, the 29-year-old will become an unrestricted free agent in March.
The Chiefs have publicly stated their wish to retain Jones, and the star defensive lineman shouted a similar sentiment at the Super Bowl parade in Kansas City on Wednesday.
Jones has spent the last eight seasons in Kansas City after the Chiefs selected him in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft. He has been named to the last five Pro Bowls and is a two-time All-Pro.
In 2023, Jones logged 30 tackles and 10.5 sacks across 16 games, helping the Chiefs to their third Super Bowl title in the last five years.
Tom Dierberger is a staff writer and editor on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in November 2023 after stints at FOX Sports, Bally Sports and NBC Sports. Dierberger has a bachelor's in communication from St. John's University. In his spare time, he can be seen throwing out his arm while playing fetch with his dog, Walter B. Boy.