[kcgreene]

To me, if 30M AAV is truly his number, I think we have to ask ourselves "Is Chris Jones the best defensive player in the NFL not named Aaron Donald?" Not best Defensive Tackle, best defensive player.

He'll be making 2M AAV more than T.J. Watt, who's new deal was just 2 years ago (and who is much younger). 5M AAV more than Myles Garrett (who has a consistently much higher sack total than CJ95, is better against the run, and also younger)

We have a tendency to act like CJ95 is in double digit sacks every year, but that's not really the case (This is not to say that play is only measured by sacks, only to hopefully help people realize.). He's only had 2 Double Digit sack seasons (2018 w/ 15.5 and 2022 w/ 15.5; the other seasons he has 9, 7.5, 9, 6.5, and 2 his rookie year). This is not to say that is the only criteria for which he effects the game, but it is one stat of many.

The reason I bring this up is because there are players who have been paid recently who he isn't just beating out with this contract, he's jumping 20% higher.

We succeed because of the team that Veach and Andy build around Mahomes. And at 30M AAV, the question of whether that money is best used on making the 2nd highest paid defensive player in football is a legitimate one.

Overpaying players is not the way that we can continue success in terms of longevity.

EDIT: Just hit me, his two 15.5 sack season were both the years that extension talks should happen that offseason. Not saying that he's a slacker or anything, but just a curiousity.