Who are the highest-paid Kansas City Chiefs at each position?
By Jacob Milham
Defense
8. Defensive End: Charles Omenihu
2023 Cash Amount: $8,600,000
Charles Omenihu, like Taylor, has a lot to prove for the Cheifs this season. He primarily served as a rotational piece for the San Francisco 49ers, but his two-year, $16 million contract suggests he will do more in Kansas City. His 2023 cash amount ranks 28th among all defensive ends and could be a great value for the Chiefs.
9. Defensive Tackle: Chris Jones
2023 Cash Amount: $20,000,000
Every Chiefs fan knows about the ongoing Chris Jones holdout for a new contract. Although his $20 million is a ton of money, his peers are earning more and producing less than Jones has. His 2023 cash amount ranks seventh among all defensive tackles and is more than $11 million less than Washington's Daron Payne. Jones' cash amount may not change much this year, but someone will back up the Brinks truck for him soon.
10. Linebacker: Drue Tranquill
2023 Cash Amount: $3,000,000
Drue Tranquill may be starting his journeyman linebacker career this season, but the Chiefs have big expectations for the veteran. Tranquill is coming from the AFC West rival Los Angeles Chargers after starting 16 games for them last season. His 2023 cash amount is tied for 69th among all linebackers, so it's not a bad one-year deal in Kansas City.
11. Cornerback: L'Jarius Sneed
2023 Cash Amount: $2,743,000
After Jones does or doesn't get paid in Kansas City, the next defender worthy of an extension is L'Jarius Sneed. He had a career year for the Chiefs in 2022, setting him up for a very pivotal contract year. Sneed is in the last year of his rookie deal, with his 2023 cash amount tied for the 62nd-highest among all cornerbacks.
12. Safety: Justin Reid
2023 Cash Amount: $9,200,000
Justin Reid is a polarizing player among the Chiefs fan base, but there is no denying he is the veteran leader in the Kansas City secondary. Reid came from Houston as Tyrann Mathieu's replacement last season, starting all 17 regular-season games for the Chiefs. The safety position, like running backs, can undervalue experienced safeties. Still, Reid's 2023 cash amount ranks 12th among all NFL safeties.