The Kansas City Chiefs are making sure their leading pass rusher is around for multiple seasons, reaching agreement with defensive end George Karlaftis on a four-year contract extension, according to multiple media reports.
Karlaftis is set to be paid $93 million with the contract, with $62 million guaranteed, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
In his three seasons with the Chiefs, Karlaftis has compiled 24.5 sacks with 115 total tackles, 56 quarterback hits and 24 tackles for loss. He was Kansas City’s 2022 first-round draft pick (No. 30 overall) out of Purdue.
During the Chiefs’ run to Super Bowl LIX last postseason, Karlaftis totaled four sacks with 13 tackles, 8 QB hits and 4 tackles for loss. He’s become one of the standout players on Steve Spagnuolo’s defense with defensive tackle Chris Jones, middle linebacker Nick Bolton and cornerback Trent McDuffie.
Karlaftis, 24, was already signed for one more season on his original rookie contract and the Chiefs had previously picked up his fifth-year option for 2026-27. The guaranteed $62 million in his contract ranks him ninth among the NFL’s edge rushers, according to Spotrac. And his average annual salary of $23.25 million will be just out of the top 10 at the position.
The Chiefs ranked 18th in the NFL with 39 sacks last season and their overall unit placed 16th with 3,970 yard allowed. They finished 15-2 during the regular season and advanced to Super Bowl LIX, where they lost to the Philadelphia Eagles, 40-22.
Karlaftis joins guard Trey Smith as Chiefs players receiving lucrative contract extensions. Last week, Smith agreed to a four-year, $92 million deal (with $70 million guaranteed) that makes him the highest-paid player at his position. Up next, the Chiefs will likely pursue an extension with McDuffie.
Kansas City will begin training camp Monday at Missouri Western State University.
Seahawks release veteran TE Noah Fant
The Seahawks released veteran tight end Noah Fant on Sunday, the team announced.
He was due a non-guaranteed salary of $8.49 million this season and the move saves $8.91 million against the salary cap.
Fant, 27, spent the past three seasons with the Seahawks after being acquired in the 2022 trade that sent Russell Wilson to Denver. He appeared in 48 games, starting 42, and made 130 receptions for 1,400 yards and five touchdowns in his time in Seattle.
The Broncos made Fant a first-round pick in 2019, and he spent three seasons there. He caught 170 passes for 1,905 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Broncos.
Second-year tight end AJ Barner, rookie Elijah Arroyo and veteran free-agent addition Eric Saubert will see more opportunities at the position with Fant’s release. The Seahawks also have a pair of undrafted rookie tight ends on the roster in Marshall Lang and Nick Kallerup.