Greek NFL Star George Karlaftis Lands $93 Million Deal with the Kansas City Chiefs

Greek NFL star George Karlaftis has secured a major contract extension with the Kansas City Chiefs, signing a four-year deal worth an impressive $93 million (€85 million), with $62 million guaranteed.

The news, first reported by ESPN, marks a significant milestone for the 23-year-old defensive end, who has already won two Super Bowl titles with the Chiefs since being drafted in 2022. The agreement cements his status as one of the elite defensive players in the league — and one of the highest-paid Greek athletes of all time.

Karlaftis is now expected to earn roughly €20 million annually through 2030, placing him just behind NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo in terms of earnings among Greek athletes worldwide.

Last year, he attended the Greek Independence Day Parade on Sunday, April 14 in New York City as one of the Grand Marshals of the annual event (photo).

Since joining Kansas City, Karlaftis has quickly become a cornerstone of the team’s dominant defense. Over three NFL seasons, he has tallied 24.5 sacks, 56 quarterback hits, and 115 total tackles in 49 appearances — a performance that has earned him the trust of the Chiefs’ coaching staff and front office.

He was born in Athens and grew up as a multi-sport athlete playing football, track and field, basketball, and water polo, the latter of which he played with the Greek national team. Karlaftis and his family moved to the United States when he was 13. Karlaftis continues to serve as a source of pride for Greek sports fans, representing Hellenic excellence on one of the world’s biggest athletic stages.