Karlaftis had the fifth-year option picked up on his rookie contract for $15.1 million by the Chiefs on Tuesday, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports. Karlaftis has emerged as a pillar of the Chiefs' defense and he'll now be under contract through the 2026 campaign. The defensive lineman produced 35 total tackles (21 solo), including 8.0 sacks, while also adding five passes defensed over 16 regular-season games with Kansas City last year. He will likely start opposite of Mike Danna on the team's defensive line in 2025 with Chris Jones and Jerry Tillery ticketed to be sandwiched between them.
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Status
ACTIVELatest George Karlaftis news
Team
Kansas City Chiefs
Birthdate
4/3/2001 (24)
Status
Active
HT/WT
6'4", 263 lbs
Draft Info
2022: Rd 1; Pk (KC)
Birthplace
Athens,, GRC
Position
DE
College
Purdue
Experience
4 seasons
Career History
Kansas City Chiefs
2022-Present
(3 seasons)
Karlaftis had the fifth-year option picked up on his rookie contract for $15.1 million by the Chiefs on Tuesday, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports. Karlaftis has emerged as a pillar of the Chiefs' defense and he'll now be under contract through the 2026 campaign. The defensive lineman produced 35 total tackles (21 solo), including 8.0 sacks, while also adding five passes defensed over 16 regular-season games with Kansas City last year. He will likely start opposite of Mike Danna on the team's defensive line in 2025 with Chris Jones and Jerry Tillery ticketed to be sandwiched between them.
Karlaftis recorded 35 tackles (21 solo), including 8.0 sacks, and five passes defensed in 16 games during the regular season. The defensive end added 13 tackles (nine solo), including 4.0 sacks, over Kansas City's three playoff games. Karlaftis finished with 10.5 sacks during the 2023 regular season and 6.0 as a rookie in 2022. The 2022 first-round pick also played on more than 700 defensive snaps in 2024 for the third year in a row.
Karlaftis (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Broncos. Karlaftis will get some additional rest since the Chiefs have locked in the AFC's No. 1 seed. He'll end his third NFL regular season with 35 tackles (21 solo), including 8.0 sacks, and five pass defenses across 16 games. Charles Omenihu and Felix Anudike-Uzomah are in line to see more defensive snaps due to Karlaftis' absence.
Karlaftis (coach's decision) is listed as doubtful ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Broncos. The third-year edge rusher from Purdue's regular-season campaign is likely over, as the Chiefs have already secured the AFC's No. 1 seed and are expected to rest their starters in the Week 18 divisional matchup. Karlaftis appeared in 16 games for Kansas City this season, recording 35 total tackles, including 8.0 sacks, and five passes defended. Charles Omenihu will likely see increased opportunities with the Chiefs' first-team defense if Karlaftis is sidelined Sunday.
Karlaftis (abdomen) was a full participant in Thursday's practice. Karlaftis was limited Wednesday but seems fine ahead of Sunday's date with the Broncos. On the season, Karlaftis has recorded 22 tackles (12 solo), including 4.0 sacks, 13 QB hits and two pass deflections.
Karlaftis (abdomen) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. The third-year pro from Purdue played 33 defensive snaps and recorded four total tackles, including 1.0 sacks, in the Chiefs' Week 9 win over the Buccaneers. However, it now appears he picked up an abdomen injury in the process. Karlaftis' participation Thursday and Friday will likely provide the best indication of whether he can play through the pain in Week 10's matchup against the Broncos.
Karlaftis finished Monday's 30-24 overtime win over Tampa Bay with four tackles (three solo), including 1.0 sacks, and one pass breakup. Karlaftis got to Baker Mayfield for a two-yard sack late in the first quarter of Monday's game. That extended his sack streak to three games, and through the first eight games of the regular season he's up to 22 tackles (12 solo), including 4.0 sacks, and two pass breakups.
Karlaftis finished with three tackles (two solo), including a tackle for a loss and 1.0 sacks, in Sunday's 28-18 win over the 49ers. The defensive end also played on 89 percent of the defensive snaps. Karlaftis has 14 tackles (eight solo), including 2.0 sacks, in six games this season.