offGrid NFL - Is Chris Jones going to be the latest DT to get an extension?

Kansas City Chiefs lineman Chris Jones is one of the best players in his position in the NFL.

After a standout season in 2022, where Jones helped the Chiefs to a second Super Bowl victory in three years and put himself into contention for the Defensive Player of the Year Award, the star defensive tackle is now looking to secure his future.

He’s entering the final season of his contract in 2023, but a multiyear extension reportedly could be in the works. The 28-year-old is looking to become at least the second-highest-paid defensive tackle in the league.

Update: #Chiefs Pro-Bowl DT Chris Jones wants to become "at least" the 2nd highest paid player at his position.

Jones' next deal could be a 3 or 4 year extension, sources tell @ByNateTaylor

The 2nd highest paid DT in the league is #Titans Jeffery Simmons at $23.5M per year. pic.twitter.com/Opu7aVCZqJ
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) May 17, 2023

General manager Brett Veach and coach Andy Reid will be keen to keep Jones around after this season, but what’s the cost? With Jeffery Simmons of the Tennessee Titans signing a $94 million total, $23.5 million annual contract to become the second-highest paid player in the league behind Aaron Donald, Kansas City will really need to put their money where the mouth is.

Of course, Jones deserves it. His resume since being drafted in 2016 includes two Super Bowl titles, four Pro Bowl selections and a First Team All-Pro nod last year, when he tallied 44 tackles, 15.5 sacks, four passes defended, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery while appearing in all 17 regular season games.

The 2016 #NFLDraft will always stick with me. It was the Paxton Lynch draft. Denver jumps KC. KC then traded back. KC passes on Myles Jack. KC ends up with Chris Jones & Tyreek Hill in 2016 and Patrick Mahomes in 2017, this was THE night in shaping where they are today. #Chiefs pic.twitter.com/n3ofFZTR37
— Nick Jacobs (@Jacobs71) April 25, 2023

Even at age 28 and being the Chiefs’ oldest projected starter on defense, a three-or-four-year extension would make sense from Kansas City’s perspective, since it would likely include the back end of his prime production before he reaches his mid-30s. Jones is in the form of his career, and has proved he’s worth every penny for this team.

The Chiefs have other contractual priorities to come, including potentially raising Patrick Mahomes‘ salary this offseason. But securing the future of Chris Jones will put them in a great position to once again succeed in 2023.