Arrowhead Pride
We now know the specifics of Kansas City’s new deal with their edge rusher.
On the eve of the team’s training camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, the Kansas City Chiefs agreed to a four-year contract extension with defensive end George Karlaftis. The 30th overall selection of the 2022 NFL Draft reportedly signed for $88 million, including $62 million guaranteed.
Karlaftis is Kansas City’s first Round 1 selection to sign a lucrative contract extension after his third season since quarterback Patrick Mahomes did so in 2020. As with Mahomes’ still-unique extension, it is important to note that the final two seasons (2025 and 2026) left on Karlaftis’ original rookie contract remain in effect. Karlaftis is now signed through the 2030 season.
Now that the deal’s details are available on the contract website Spotrac, let’s take a closer look at the contract, which is very different than the flashy numbers initially reported.
Between his previous 2025 base salary of $2.3 million and the Chiefs exercising his 2026 $15.2 million fifth-year option, Karlaftis was already in line for $17.5 million over the final two seasons of his rookie deal. Kansas City has now rewarded him with a new $20 million signing bonus — and rolled part of his previously scheduled compensation into the payment. His new scheduled 2026 base salary of $10.9 million is also guaranteed.
While he was set to earn $17.5 million over the next two seasons, Karlaftis will now take home about $32.3 million (including a yearly $250,000 workout bonus). Karlaftis’ 2025 salary cap hit does increase from $3.8 million to about $6.6 million. His 2026 charge at $15.2 million is essentially unchanged from what it would have been under the fifth-year option.
The new years of the contract truly begin in 2027, but his earnings still stay modest. As with most recent significant Chiefs contracts, Karlaftis has received rolling guarantees of future salary. His 2027 salary of $11 million is already guaranteed for injury, and it will fully vest at the start of the 2026 league year. The 2027 salary cap hit will remain almost flat from the previous season at only $15.3 million.
Another rolling guarantee will see Karlaftis lock in his 2028 base salary of $18.8 million in March of 2027. The 2028 season will see his salary cap charge grow to $23 million.
The final two seasons on the contract do raise Karlaftis’ base salaries significantly, although there is no guaranteed money for either 2029 or 2030. As of now, he is scheduled to earn $42.5 million over his final two seasons. However, the nature of NFL contracts suggests the final seasons should be thought of as subject to change depending on performance.
Should Karlaftis’ play drop off as the final two seasons approach, the Chiefs can get out of the contract with only $4 million in dead money if released before the 2029 season. Because signing bonuses can only be spread out over five seasons, there would be no dead money...
