The Kansas City Chiefs got a deal for star DT Chris Jones across the finish line before the start of the NFL's legal tampering period on Monday. The contract extension ensures that Jones will be in Kansas City for at least the next three seasons and makes him among the highest-paid interior defensive linemen in NFL history. 

How exactly does the decision to re-sign Jones impact the team's plans as the NFL's free agency frenzy begins on Monday? Let's start with what the contract means for the salary cap situation in Kansas City.

Where does the Chiefs' salary cap stand? 

We still await the full contract details to learn Jones' first-year salary cap hit. It can be as low as $8 million in 2024. After Drue Tranquill's deal to return to the team, the Chiefs had right around $1.3 million in salary cap space available. They're back in the red with the need to be under the salary cap by the deadline on Wednesday afternoon when the new league year officially begins.

The easiest move for Kansas City to clear cap space would be to trade or extend CB L'Jarius Sneed, who currently has a $19.8M in guaranteed salary against the cap due to the 2024 non-exclusive franchise tag. The Chiefs also have other moves in their arsenal to create salary cap space such as converting a portion or all of Patrick Mahomes' $34.9 million roster bonus into a signing bonus. Other options include conversions for Jawaan Taylor and Joe Thuney and extensions for Justin Reid, Charles Omenihu, and Harrison Butker. 

Will the Chiefs still be active in signing outside free agents?

The Chiefs placed a clear priority on retaining some of their own after their second consecutive Super Bowl win. With such a massive deal for Jones, it's unreasonable to expect the team to become major players when it comes to signing outside free agents. Adding a top-of-market receiver or edge rusher on a long-term contract is probably off the table with this deal. That doesn't mean they're finished before free agency has even begun, though. 

I'm told the Chiefs will still look to add some role players on both sides of the ball on short-term deals, in the same vein as signings like Drue Tranquill, Mike Edwards, Charles Omenihu, and Donovan Smith last season. There is a sense of going all-in on a three-peat after back-to-back Super Bowl titles, but the team also wants to be smart and not mortgage their future. They want the ability to assess and re-sign players like Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, and Nick Bolton a year from now.

Look for one-year deals for most players, but especially for those looking to land on their feet and build value on a Super Bowl contender. A select few players could sign multi-year deals under the right circumstances. 

Potential for other Chiefs re-signings leading up to or during free agency

Players like Jones and Tranquill were a clear priority for Kansas City, but could more re-signings be coming soon? Figuring out what's going on with L'Jarius Sneed is the next order of business for Kansas City, and I'm told a re-signing isn't totally out of the question, but much more complicated in terms of salary cap fit.

As for other pending free agents, we already have a good sense that both P Tommy Townsend and LB Willie Gay Jr. will not return to the team in 2024. Look for DE Mike Danna and OG Nick Allegretti to find starting jobs elsewhere and get paid. I get the sense that the depreciated market for safeties and running backs could allow for some players like Deon Bush, Mike Edwards, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and Jerick McKinnon to return on short-term deals. DTs Derrick Nnadi, Tershawn Wharton, and Mike Pennel could look to re-sign, though it might be a slap in the face after Jones' record-setting deal. 

Of course, there are also a few minor transactions with ERFAs and RFAs that we expect soon. Also expect the Chiefs to re-sign LS James Winchester at some point, should the 34-year-old choose to keep playing. 

Kansas City Chiefs players react to star DT Chris Jones’ record-setting extension

They’re happy he’s sticking around.