The Kansas City Chiefs will have an opportunity to become the first National Football League team to win three consecutive Super Bowl titles. They can achieve that feat by winning Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans. However, reaching that goal will be difficult without bringing back Chris Jones.

The two-time First Team All-Pro defensive tackle will be a free agent once the 2024 NFL league year starts on March 13. Therefore, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach must find a way to retain him. However, given the price tag he could command and the other key players they will try to keep, it's easier said than done.

While Jones didn’t get the contract extension he deserved before the 2023 season, the Chiefs restructured the final year of his contract, earning him up to $25 million. That amount includes a $19.5 million base salary. Under that deal, he finished with 10.5 sacks, 30 tackles, and four passes defended in 16 regular season games.

During the playoffs, he was a disruptive force in the defensive line, especially in Super Bowl 58. Beating his blocker led to Brock Purdy trying to make off-timing plays.

But as good as he was throughout the 2023 NFL season, his services won’t come cheap. Aaron Donald is the highest-paid defensive tackle, earning $31.66 million annually via his contract with the Los Angeles Rams. Meanwhile, Quinnen Williams is in second place at $24 million annually.

With a third Super Bowl championship, Jones can command a salary between those players. But in doing so, the Chiefs might not have enough cap space to re-sign other key players like L’Jarius Sneed, Drue Tranquill, and Mecole Hardman.

Word has it that the Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons, and the Las Vegas Raiders are interested in bringing in Sneed. Losing him would be a massive blow to their defense, given that he didn’t allow a touchdown during the regular season.

Aside from giving Jones a long-term extension, the Chiefs can give him the franchise tag in 2024 as part of his restructured deal.

-Lance Fernandez