From the time Chris Jones was drafted in 2016, he always wanted to spend his whole career with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Now Jones will now get that opportunity as he and the Chiefs agreed to a five-year, $159 million contract.
“For me, that was the plan from the beginning,” Jones said Tuesday. “Since you guys drafted me, I never planned to play for another organization. Deep down I felt like I was never leaving, and I’m super appreciative of the Hunt family and the Chiefs organization of making sure I’ll retire as a Chief.”
In recent years the Chiefs haven’t handed out a lot of long-term contracts to players in their 30s, but Jones, who will turn 30 in July, is the type of player they couldn’t afford to live without.
Jones has been a mainstay along the defensive line and a fan favorite throughout his eight seasons with the team. Jones had 10.5 sacks last season and has 75.5 in his career. He’s been selected to the Pro Bowl five years in a row and has been named an All-Pro the last two. He’s also been an integral part of three Super Bowl championship teams and now he’s being rewarded with the largest contract for a defensive tackle in NFL history.
“The main goal for me is always winning, putting myself in a position to win, and to do it with the team that drafted me,” Jones said. “I think those were two of the biggest goals, and we were as successful as you can get within the process of free agency — to do it with the team you’ve been winning with, and they reward you for it.”
Even though Jones’ average yearly salary is $31 million, don’t expect him to not be motivated. Instead, he says he’ll be as hungry as ever.
“Every year, I just chase greatness,” Jones said. “I don’t think that’ll change. No amount of money can change my love and passion for the game of football. No matter how successful I am, I’m always chasing greater heights. And I think the Chiefs understand and see my perspective and how much I love the game of football.”
Jones also loves giving back to the Kansas City community. He plans to “donate a lot” to help inner city kids and the Girls and Boys club among others.
“I think the organization knows how much I love Kansas City,” Jones said. “The fans know how much I love KC. I said it at the parade — standing by that.”
