One of Kansas City’s 2022 first-round draft picks from has been signed to an extension worth $93 million.
According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter (and many others), the Kansas City Chiefs have signed defensive end George Karlaftis to a four-year contract extension worth $93 million, including $62 million guaranteed.
Chiefs and 2022 first-round pick George Karlaftis reached agreement today on a four-year $93 million contract extension that includes $62 million guaranteed, per his agency the @WINSportsGroup.
Karlaftis posted 24.5 sacks during his first three seasons in Kansas City – and now… pic.twitter.com/GtyM1qcz3r
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 20, 2025
Jordan Schulz has reported that the deal begins with a total of $88 million, but also includes $5 million in contract incentives.
As our Jared Sapp noted on X, this effectively commits one of the team’s 2022 first-round draft picks to a six-year contract worth as much as $110.5 million. The deal runs through the 2030 season, when he will be 29.
Karlaftis is now entering the fourth year of his rookie contract. The Chiefs had already exercised their fifth-year option for the former Purdue star, which would have paid him $15.2 million in 2026. He was set to count $3.8 million against the cap in 2025.
While we don’t yet have full details on the deal, it is likely his 2025 cap hit will increase — but the team had cap space to spare. After signing right guard Trey Smith to his new contract, the team had $20.1 million available for the coming season.
Much like we have seen with other recent contracts negotiated by Kansas City general manager Brett Veach, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reports that at signing, $32 million of the extension is fully guaranteed, while $30 million guaranteed for injury will roll into full guarantees as time goes on.
Over three seasons with the team, Karlaftis has recorded 115 tackles (68 solo, 24 for loss), 24.5 sacks, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and 15 passes defensed. In 2024, he tied Nick Bosa with 37 total pressures, ranking eighth in the league. He had 18 quarterback knockdowns, which was second only to Zach Allen.