Defensive tackles throughout the NFL are thanking Chris Jones for his new deal.
According to reports, Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle and Super Bowl LIV hero Chris Jones agreed to a four-year, $85 million deal to stick around for the foreseeable future. With an extension given to quarterback Patrick Mahomes for upwards of $500 million, KC has doled out close to $600 million in extensions to two of its top players on offense and defense.
While the Jones deal is great for KC’s defense, the real winners are any interior defensive linemen that are looking for similar deals. On one end of the spectrum, there are guys that have been established in the league for a while as some of the best at what they do. On the other, there are a few young guys who are calling their agents as soon as possible to figure out how close they can get to that $85 million and $60 million guaranteed.
Here are a few names to look out for in contract negotiations for the next DT to break the bank similar to how Jones just did.
3. Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers
Cameron Heyward has been the anchor of the Steelers’ defense since he was drafted out of Ohio State in 2011. After nine years and a few Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections later, Heyward has established himself as one of the best at what he does. He is not the biggest name similar to the Jones, the J.J. Watts and Aaron Donalds of the world, but his hard work does not go unnoticed in the Steel City.
Heyward is the oldest player on this list as he will be playing his age-31 season in 2020 in Pittsburgh. Way back in 2015, Heyward signed a six-year, $59.2 million extension with the Steelers that sounded like plenty of money at the time. Five years later, the tables have turned.
Heyward is consistently one of the best DTs in the league year in and year out. In 2019, Heyward once again started all 16 games and put up 83 total tackles, 11 for loss, nine sacks and 23 QB hits. Over the last three seasons, Heyward has racked up 29 sacks. From 2017-19, Chris Jones had 31 sacks for KC. The numbers are comparable in favor of the Steelers All-Pro.
As previously mentioned, the one thing that could hold Heyward back in negotiations is the fact that he will be 32 going into the 2021 season, when he will be a free agent. The production is there for Heyward to argue for a long-term deal with plenty of money. In order to satisfy both parties, a shorter-term deal with plenty of guarantees similar to Jones could be in line for Heyward.