George Karlaftis’ contract extension is even more team-friendly than expected

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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.

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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 remaining if the Chiefs only opted out of the 2030 season.

Conversely, if his play continues at a level that Kansas City is eager to pay those final two seasons, Karlaftis may want a new contract after 2028 to match what will by then be an even more lucrative pass-rusher market.

The bottom line

For all the numbers thrown around, it is best to think of the final seasons of Karlaftis’ original contract being rolled into a new six-year deal worth about $107 million. While some balked at giving a good pass rusher who has not reached elite status $22 million per season, he is truly averaging about $17.8 million through 2030.

The Chiefs secured a remarkably team-friendly structure for a valuable starter who is still only 24. Karlaftis’ salary cap hit will not exceed $20 million until 2028. By then, the market and annual league salary cap increases will undoubtedly see several less talented players making a higher average salary.

Kansas City was also able to backload his higher non-guaranteed salaries to retain the option of getting out of the deal if it doesn’t age well. If Karlaftis’ play justifies another contract extension before he turns 30, the deal’s final two seasons will give the Chiefs good leverage the next time they are at the negotiating table.

Veach was smart to not only identify a player he wanted to retain, but also move aggressively to get a deal done with two rookie contract seasons remaining. Even second-tier pass rushers will see their market value continue to grow in the coming years. If Karlaftis signed for the same $22 million yearly average of new money a year from now, the Chiefs would not enjoy the same favorable structure.

With a new contract for cornerback Trent McDuffie still a high priority — and wide receiver Rashee Rice soon to be extension eligible — signing Karlaftis early should prove a wise move for managing the salary cap in the years to come.

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