As this year’s NFL free agency continues to heat up, a handful of Mississippians in the league are getting new contracts.
The biggest of which came for former Mississippi State defensive tackle Chris Jones, who resigned with the Kansas City Chiefs. The five-year extension is worth nearly $160 million, with around $95 million of that money being guaranteed, making Jones the highest-paid player at his position.
“Every year, I just chase greatness,” Jones told reporters after the deal. “I don’t think (any) amount of money is going to change my love and passion for the game of football no matter how successful I’ll be. I’m always chasing greater heights. So, I think the Chiefs understand and see my perspective of the game and how much I love the game of football.”
In eight years in the NFL, Jones has been named a Pro Bowler five times. This past season, he was key in the Chiefs returning to the Super Bowl and winning their third title since drafting Jones in the second round of the 2016 draft.
Across the AFC North, the Las Vegas Raiders signed Mississippi’s Gardner Minshew to compete for their starting quarterback position. The Brandon native, coming off his first Pro Bowl, had career highs in pass completions and passing yards in his only year with the Indianapolis Colts.
The two-year, $25 million deal will put Minshew up against Aidan O’Connell. O’Connell threw for 2,218 yards and 12 touchdowns with seven interceptions as the Raiders revived their season following the benching of Jimmy Garoppolo. When Minshew and O’Connell faced off in 2023, Minshew led the Colts to a narrow 23-20 win.
Next door to Mississippi in New Orleans, former Mississippi State linebacker Willie Gay signed with the New Orleans Saints on a one-year deal worth up to $5 million. After being drafted by the Chiefs in the second round of the 2020 draft, Gay played in 57 games with 233 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles, four interceptions, and 17 tackles for loss.
