Jaye Howard hopes to remain with Chiefs beyond 2017

We recently spoke with Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle about entering his contract year (again) and his hopes to remain in K.C.

From the outside, it looks like Jaye Howard is in a familiar spot. The Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman says being in another contract year feels “completely different” this time around.

Howard has been a late bloomer in the NFL. After failing to catch on with the team that selected him in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Chiefs claimed Howard on waivers from the Seattle Seahawks just before the 2013 regular season began. During his first season in Kansas City, Howard appeared had only eight total tackles in three games, but the Chiefs saw enough in Howard to keep him around. It wasn’t long before his talents forced him into the defensive line rotation, starting 10 games in 2014 and 14 more in 2015.

During his contract year in 2015, Howard had 5.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble and a total of 57 tackles. The Chiefs rewarded him that offseason with a two-year, $10 million deal that takes him through the 2017 season. That means Howard is once again playing for a brand new deal next offseason. Yet Howard is out to earn much more than an extension; he’s aiming for league-wide notoriety this time around.

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“I feel like this year is completely different,” says Howard. “I was going into that former year trying to get into a second contract. Now that I’ve got that contract, I’m coming off of an injury, so now it’s more about having a point to prove that I’m one of the top d-linemen in this league.”

Howard has made no secret of his hopes to remain with the Chiefs beyond this deal, which means being able to stay on the field. Those 14 starts in 2015 were a career high, and last season he ended the year on injured reserve after missing significant time with a hip flexor. Howard says he’s right on schedule in terms of his return and that’s ready to get back on the field.

“Everything is going well. I’m looking forward to getting out there. It hurt watching those guys on TV, but they did a helluva job, so I just want to be a part of it.

“As far as the Chiefs, I love the atmosphere. I love the fans. Previously I was a part of Seattle’s organization and now I’m here and there’s nothing like those organizations. By far, Kansas City has one of the best fan bases in the league, if not the best. Going out in front of those fans or seeing them when you’re out and about makes it well worth to go out there and put on that red helmet.”

Howard says he’s also been impressed by the team’s offseason, specifically when watching Eric Berry’s press conference or seeing Derrick Johnson restructure his deal to stay with the team and give the Chiefs some financial flexibility. “When you have those kind of guys around you in the locker room, there’s something special there,” he says.

Beyond the fans and the players, Howard also mentioned head coach Andy Reid as a key part of the reasons he wants to stay with the Chiefs after 2017. Reid has proven himself loyal to Howard, and the 28-year-old is keen to return the favor.

“Coach Reid is a great coach. He gave me an opportunity when a lot of people wouldn’t. I definitely appreciate it and whenever I’m out there, I’m going to give him my all because I respect him. He’s building something great here in Kansas City and, as I said, I just want to be a part of it.”

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