Chris Jones did not get an on-paper guarantee that he won’t be franchise-tagged next offseason.
But the math makes it so he may not need one.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the deal Jones signed with the Chiefs this week following a holdout that stretched into Week 1 did not include a provision preventing Kansas City from tagging him again.
The price tag for such a move, however, would be $32 million — more than they are likely to be able to afford, at least without releasing and restructuring more contracts than may be feasible.
The All-Pro defensive tackle, 29, then, should be poised to hit unrestricted free agency following this season.
That does not mean he won’t be back with the Chiefs, with Schefter noting the relationship between them is strong — aside from the holdout.
“I’m super pleased with how [the holdout] turned out,” Jones told reporters Wednesday after signing a one-year deal filled with incentives. “I’m back in the building, I’m excited to be back, thankful for the organization. They [were] able to boost my salary up to make up for the fines and everything. I’m super grateful for that.”
“Chris and I have talked,” coach Andy Reid told reporters. “There wasn’t any personal thing going on between us. It was just he made a business decision, that’s part of this thing. I’m able to separate it. I think he separated it. He’s back in and has a good attitude, ready to go.”
Jones has a base salary of $18.42 million this season, per Spotrac.com, and is set to earn $1 million for playing 35 percent of defensive snaps and another $1 million for 50 percent, per Schefter.
He will also get $1.25 million for hitting 10 sacks, $500,000 for 15 sacks and $1 million if named a first-team All-Pro and if the Chiefs make the Super Bowl.
If he wins Defensive Player of the Year and the Chiefs win the Super Bowl, it would be another $2 million. He can earn up to $6.75 million in those additional incentives.
Jones is set to make his season debut against the Jaguars on Sunday and could play 20-30 snaps, per Schefter.