More contract details for Chris Jones:
*$37 million is due at signing.
*$60 million is guaranteed for injury.
*It's a four-year, $80 million deal, with $5 million in incentives, making value of contract up to $85 million. https://t.co/gDh7JtAzRg
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 14, 2020
After a historic contract was signed by quarterback Patrick Mahomes last week, the Kansas City Chiefs worked out a new deal Tuesday with defensive tackle Chris Jones. Jones was set to hit free agency in 2021 and this is his first contract extension.
Since entering the league in 2016, Jones has helped turn the Chiefs defense into one of the best in NFL.
While Steelers DT Cam Heyward, 31, is considerably older than Jones, 26, Heyward is having the best years of his career. (The majority of Cam’s plays were made inside at the tackle position, but he was listed as a defensive end. His official designation changed to DE in 2018.)
In his first four seasons (61 games), Jones has amassed 20 passes defended, seven forced fumbles, 33 sacks, 136 tackles (37 for loss) and 77 QB hits. He also has two interceptions.
In Heyward’s last four seasons (54 games), he has recorded 16 passes defended, four forced fumbles, 32 sacks, 200 tackles (73 for loss) and 68 QB hits. Cam has yet to record an INT, but it’s not as significant of a stat for tackles. Nevertheless, Heyward lines up differently in the Steelers 3-4 defensive scheme than Jones does in the Chiefs 4-3 scheme.
If the Steelers were to offer Heyward a contract comparable to Jones’, Heyward would be 36 when the contract expires. His last extension (six-years/$59 million) was signed in 2015.
Spotrac lists four comparable (age, contract status, statistical production) defensive tackles to determine Heyward’s market value. One of them is Cincinnati Bengals Geno Atkins, who was 30 when he signed a four-year/$65.3 million contract in 2018.
No matter how you slice it, Heyward, undeniably one of the top tackles league-wide, is in for a huge payday.
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