Veteran free-agent linebacker Derrick Johnson has decided to stay with the Kansas City Chiefs, agreeing to a three-year deal worth $21 million, including more than $9 million guaranteed, sources told ESPN.
Johnson, 33, had another productive season in 2015 for the Chiefs after missing the final 15 games of 2014 because of a torn Achilles tendon.
Johnson wasn't the only Chiefs player to re-sign. Defensive end Jaye Howard agreed to a two-year, $12 million contract to stay in Kansas City, with $8.3 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
Howard, 27, developed into a find for the Chiefs in 2015. Pulled off waivers from the Seahawks in 2013, Howard became a full-time starter and was perhaps Kansas City's best defensive lineman last season.
He was a consistent presence against the run and was credited with 11 tackles for negative yardage. He also set a career high with 5½ sacks, which ranked him third on the Chiefs.
Johnson was by far the Chiefs' leading tackler with 116 and had four sacks. He went on to play in his fourth career Pro Bowl.
Other than the 2014 season, Johnson has been a remarkably durable player. He started all 16 games in 2015, plus both Chiefs playoff games. Not counting the 15 games he missed in 2014, Johnson missed just seven games in his 11 NFL seasons.
Johnson was the Chiefs' first-round draft pick in 2005 out of Texas.
ESPN's Josina Anderson, Adam Caplan and Ed Werder and Chiefs reporter Adam Teicher contributed to this report.
