Will Chris Jones remain a member of the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs? It certainly is an open question after he held out into the 2023 season.
The stud defensive tackle is technically slated to hit free agency in March. But there is a chance that he has the franchise tag placed on him. Chiefs general manager Brett Veach touched on that during the NFL Combine in Indianapolis recently.
He anticipates using the tag on either Jones or star cornerback L’Jarius Sneed. The issue here could be finances. Tagging Jones would cost roughly $32 million in 2024. The cost of franchising Sneed would come in at less than $20 million.
If Jones does hit the free agent market, there is going to be no shortage of suitors. The NFL salary cap has blown up for the 2024 season. As many as 10 teams could have $50-plus million to spend. Below, we look at five ideal fits for the 2022 NFL Defensive Player of the Year finalist.
Related: Chris Jones and the top 2024 NFL free agents
Chicago Bears use NFL salary cap room to form elite defensive front
New Bears defensive coordinator Eric Washington firmly believes that their defense could have the best pass rush in the NFL moving forward.
“We’re going to be a team that generates pressure with our front four,” Washington said during a press conference recently, via the Bears’ official website. “We’re going to build the best pass rush in football.
Chicago’s first step in making this possible was acquiring star EDGE rusher Montez Sweat in a deal with the Washington Commanders ahead of the in-season NFL trade deadline. Sweat would go on to lead the team with 14 QB hits and six sacks in just nine games.
The Bears are slated to have north of $80 million to spend under the 2024 NFL salary cap. Why not make this defensive front one of the most-dominant in the game by offering Jones $30 million annually? Teaming him up with Sweat would do just that.
Related: Bold predictions for 2024 NFL free agency
Houston Texans get running partner for Will Anderson Jr.
EDGE rushers Jonathan Greenard and Will Anderson combined for 44 QB hits to go with 19.5 sacks for Houston a season ago. They are two of the primary reasons that the Texans’ defense surprised under head coach DeMeco Ryans.
It absolutely makes perfect sense for the Texans to use a nice chunk of their $70-plus million on Jones. Given his production and what we’ve seen from this young defense, it would be a match made in heaven.
- Chris Jones stats (2022-23): 58 QB hits, 26 sacks
With the likes of Derek Stingley Jr. and Jalen Pitre doing their thing in the secondary, this could create one of the top defenses in the entire NFL.
Jerod Mayo builds New England Patriots defense with Chris Jones
A young, defensive-minded head coach bringing in an anchor on that side of the ball just makes too much sense for New England. Schematically, Jones would be an ideal fit next to surprising defensive tackle Christian Barmore. It would give the Pats four foundational players upfront with Jones, Barmore, Keion White and Matthew Judon.
It also must be noted that New England is projected to have nearly $90 million in cap room during NFL free agency. The team is going to absolutely be players. And while the quarterback position will draw the most interest, adding someone of Jones’ ilk to what is still a good defense would be a coup.
Related: New England Patriots reportedly discussing blockbuster trade
Detroit Lions go big-game hunting in NFL free agency
Just the simple thought of Chris Jones teaming up with Aidan Hutchinson should have Lions head coach Dan Campbell salivating at the mouth. Despite earning a trip to the NFC Championship Game, the interior of Detroit’s defensive line was somewhat of an issue.
Adding Jones on a big-money contract as a way to find another foundational player on defense would go a long way in Detroit getting over the hump and finally winning that elusive first Super Bowl.
Related: 5 Las Vegas Raiders draft prospects to watch at NFL Combine
Las Vegas Raiders snipe Chris Jones from division rival
What better way for new Raiders general manager Tom Telesco to stick it to their division rival? We know as a fact that Telesco and Co. would love to team Jones up with fellow stud pass rusher Maxx Crosby on defense. For Vegas, this would be two-fold. Not only would the team be adding one of the top interior pass rushers in the game, but it would also naturally improve the Raiders’ pass defense.
Vegas currently has north of $55 million in cap room. It willl create even more by moving off Jimmy Garoppolo and restructuring other contracts. Why not see if Jones will jump ship with an offer of well north of $30 million annually?