July 15 is the deadline for players who have been franchise tagged to be signed to a long term deal or they would have to play under the tag. That’s tomorrow.
The Chiefs placed the franchise tag on defensive lineman Chris Jones, but recently Jones made it absolutely clear he would sit out the season if he didn’t get a long term deal. So, the Chiefs had to get him signed or be looking at being without their top defender this season as they attempt to defend their title.
Today the Chiefs escaped disaster and got a deal done with Jones, signing him to a 4-year, $85 million contract with $60 million guaranteed at signing.
That guaranteed number is crucial. And his total number makes him the second-highest-paid interior defensive lineman in the NFL behind only Aaron Donald.
Jones has 33.0 career sacks, including 24.5 over the past two seasons. He played 83 percent of the snaps in the Super Bowl win over the 49ers.
