Kansas City Chiefs take first step in retaining Chris Jones with franchise tag option By: Grant Winsauer

NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported Thursday that the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs decided to pick up Chris Jones’ option to franchise tag him. The All-Pro defensive tackle and Super Bowl champion is set to earn $4.25 million in incentive bonuses this off-season, giving the Chiefs multiple options to continue to build around him for future success.

This is an excellent move by Kansas City for a few reasons. If Jones can’t agree with Kansas City, they can place the tag on Jones, so he doesn’t wreak havoc elsewhere.

Next, it would be hard for the Chiefs to find a highly productive defensive tackle better than Jones. The only player that I put above Jones is Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, and he isn’t going to leave Los Angeles. Finally, while at the Kansas City Super Bowl parade, Jones took to the microphone to address that he wants to run it back with Kansas City and win three consecutive Super Bowls.

Jones has been with the Chiefs his whole career and has been an anchor for their defensive line

and a hell of a leader for the Chiefs’ defense. Take the Super Bowl, for example. The Chiefs were down in the game, and Jones got the whole defense together, and they rallied to a comeback overtime victory. If that doesn’t show leadership, I don’t know what will.

If the Chiefs come to terms with Jones, I wouldn’t be surprised if it is a multi-year deal because

he is only 29 years old and has had very productive years these past few years. However, I would

not rule out the possibility of Kansas City drafting someone to compliment Jones and learn from

him for a year or a couple of years, depending on whether he is tagged or signs a multi-year extension. If the Chiefs do try to get someone to compliment Jones, I believe a person they target in the draft could be Byron Murphy, a defensive tackle out of Texas, if he were to last that long.

Let’s say the Chiefs don’t reach a long-term deal with Jones and decide not to tag him (highly unlikely). Plenty of places could use a player of his caliber at that position. The team that would make the most sense would be the Bears. Matt Eberflus needs a three-technique for his defensive scheme, and their general manager is Ryan Poles, who worked in Kansas City before heading to the Chicago Bears.

Another team that needs interior defensive line help is the Arizona Cardinals; according to NFL.com, their second most significant need is defensive tackle, so if Jones is available, I could see them reaching out to Jones’ camp. The final team that could be interested in Jones is the New York Giants. They traded Leonard Williams this past year, so they need a defensive tackle and should have the money to sign him.