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.

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.

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.