Is Chiefs Superstar Chris Jones On Texans Free Agency Radar?
There are few franchises that have more flexibility and capital heading into the 2024 offseason than the Houston Texans
There are even fewer who will be able to afford to bring in a verified superstar. Fortunately for the Texans, they are most certainly one of those teams.
And as it so happens, one of the best players in today's NFL is about to hit the open market at a huge position of need for Houston heading into 2024.
We are speaking of course about Kansas City Chiefs superstar - and now three-time Super Bowl champion - Chris Jones.
As it stands, Houston currently sits with more than $59 million of effective cap space, with only the Tennessee Titans ($65.75 million) and the Washington Commanders ($62.59 million) having more heading into the free agency window.
In other words, the Texans will be able to throw money at just about anybody they want, including Jones, who is projected to sign a four-year deal somewhere in the neighborhood of $120 million to $140 million ($30 million to $35 million APY), with over $100 million guaranteed.
Of course, there is always the possibility that the Chiefs could franchise tag Jones, but given that his number on the stage would be over $33 million of guaranteed money for just one season, that seems unlikely. Especially considering he would just be hitting the market again in 2025.
So could the Texans actually get involved in the conversation?
Well, one could argue that they have as good a shot to land him as anyone. Of the 11 teams with enough cap space to sign Jones to a $30 million or more deal, only three made the playoffs - the Texans, the Lions, and the Buccaneers.
That said, one could also argue that of those three teams, the Texans have by far the brightest potential future.
PFF's 2024 Post-Super Bowl Mock Draft Gives Will Anderson Jr. Help On Defensive Line
Not only does Houston have a young superstar in the making at quarterback, but they already have one at the second most important position on the roster at edge rusher in Will Anderson.
They also have arguably the best left tackle in the NFL in Laremy Tunsil, bright young talent at the skill positions, and high-potential young building blocks at just about every position group on the roster.
The one spot that does not hold true is at defensive tackle, where Jones could come in and immediately give the Texans one of the scariest defensive fronts in all of the NFL.
And perhaps - if they make the right moves throughout the rest of the offseason - launch them into true Super Bowl contention