When most NFL teams tighten their belts after locking in a few superstar deals, the Kansas City Chiefs seem to be doing the opposite.
Instead of scaling back, they’re doubling down—and proving once again they know how to manage talent and the salary cap.
Even with huge contracts already in place for Patrick Mahomes, Chris Jones, and Travis Kelce, the front office just handed another major extension to a key defensive piece.
George Karlaftis Locks in a $93 Million Deal
This time, it’s George Karlaftis who’s cashing in.
The rising star defensive end just signed a massive four-year extension worth $93 million—with a jaw-dropping $62 million guaranteed.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news first, and the Daily Mail later confirmed the details.
Karlaftis has been nothing short of a force since joining Kansas City.
He’s already posted 24.5 sacks in just three seasons, helped the team reach three Super Bowls, and walked away with two championship rings.
From Greece to the Gridiron
Karlaftis’ journey to NFL stardom isn’t your typical football story.
Born in Athens, Greece, he was just 14 when tragedy struck—his father passed away, prompting his family to relocate to Indiana, where his mother is originally from.
It was there that George discovered football and began to develop into a dominant athlete.
He eventually committed to Purdue, where he honed his skills and bulked up to 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds.
By 2022, he was turning heads in the draft and got picked up by the Chiefs as the 30th overall pick.
The rest, as they say, is history.
A Proven Performer on Football’s Biggest Stage
Since entering the league, Karlaftis has delivered when it matters most.
In addition to his regular season sack totals, he’s recovered two fumbles and made some key plays in the postseason.
Even in the Chiefs’ loss to the Eagles in the Super Bowl, Karlaftis showed up, logging a sack and four tackles.
His consistency, physical presence, and ability to perform under pressure made this extension almost inevitable—and well deserved.
Chiefs Also Rewarding Talent on the Offensive Line
Karlaftis isn’t the only one getting paid.
Kansas City also made headlines by locking in right guard Trey Smith to a similar four-year, $94 million contract.
The team had placed the franchise tag on Smith earlier this year to keep him around, which came with a hefty $23.4 million price tag.
With Smith and center Creed Humphrey now secured, the Chiefs boast the highest-paid guard and center combo in the league.
Humphrey signed his own four-year, $72 million extension in August 2024, with $50 million guaranteed—setting a new high bar for NFL centers.
A Championship Core for the Future
With these extensions, Kansas City isn’t just planning for the next season—they’re building a long-term dynasty.
Locking down foundational players on both sides of the ball, even amid major contracts already on the books, shows the front office is thinking years ahead.
Now that Karlaftis, Smith, and Humphrey are committed, all eyes are on who might be next.
Will the Chiefs continue this streak of smart spending and savvy cap navigation?
With the team’s recent track record, you wouldn’t want to bet against them.