3:23pm: The Chiefs have formally announced Bailey’s extension in a press release.
“We are happy that we were able to reach an agreement to keep Allen in Kansas City,” said GM John Dorsey in a statement. “He has developed into a good football player and a key member of our defense.”
2:33pm: The Chiefs have reached an agreement on a contract extension for defensive lineman Allen Bailey, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. According to Florio, it’ll be a four-year deal for Bailey, with a base value of $25MM, and $10MM to sign.
Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports adds (via Twitter) that the extension features $15MM in guaranteed money, though a portion of that guarantee is for injury only. Florio outlines the details, noting that in addition to the $10MM signing bonus, $4MM in injury-only guarantees will become fully guaranteed this winter, shortly after the Super Bowl. The agreement also includes another $1MM in injury-only guarantees.
Bailey, 25, has been installed as a full-time starter on the defensive line for the first time this season. After playing 506 defensive snaps a year ago, Bailey has appeared in 472 so far this season through just nine games, and has certainly held his own. According to Pro Football Focus’ data (subscription required), the former third-round pick has ranked 21st among 50 qualified 3-4 defensive ends, playing particularly well as a pass rusher, having recorded 16 total quarterback pressures.
Having been selected by the Chiefs out of Miami in the 2011 draft, Bailey had been in the final year of his rookie contract, and was eligible for unrestricted free agency after the 2014 season. The extension, which will keep him under team control through 2018, represents a significant pay raise for the fourth-year pro — his ’14 base salary had been the league minimum ($645K), with modest bonuses bumping his overall cap hit to about $809K.
Of course, while locking up Bailey beyond this season is a solid move by the Chiefs to reinforce the team’s defensive front seven, a more significant contract negotiation still looms. Star outside linebacker Justin Houston is also on an expiring deal, and there’s been no indication that he and the Chiefs are close to agreeing on a multiyear pact. If the club enters the offseason without a new contract in place for Houston, the franchise tag looks like a real possibility for the Pro Bowl pass rusher.