Despite star pass rusher Chris Jones being a Kansas City Chiefs training camp holdout, the organization understands his value to the team and feels confident they will be able to agree to a contract extension soon.
The Kansas City Chiefs are in the early stages of what they hope is a campaign to defend their NFL championship and win a second straight Lombardi Trophy. Compared to last spring when superstar wide receiver Tyreek Hill was traded, this was a fairly quiet offseason for the champs.
That seemed to still be the case heading into training camp, but then four-time Pro Bowler Chris Jones turned that all upside down. The star pass rusher has been a major part of the franchise’s ascendance into a dynasty team and a playoff monster as the Chiefs reached three Super Bowls and won two in the last four years. Due to his elite level of play, the 29-year-old now wants to be paid like one of the best at his position.
During the offseason, Kansas City and Jones’ representatives were unable to agree on a new long-term extension and the second-round pick in 2016 escalated things by deciding to sit out of can’t and incurring a daily fine of $50,000. However, despite what seems like a divide between the two sides, it seems that the Chiefs have a great deal of confidence they can get a deal done.
NFL insider Dianna Russini recently gave an update on the situation on the Pat McAfee Show:
“Chris Jones wants a big number. But the Chiefs — every conversation I’ve had with them over the last few months has been nothing but… understanding his value, understanding his role in this team. ‘We want to get this done. We feel good. We’re gonna get this done. We’re optimistic.’
“So that’s one of those where I think it feels a little icky right now. But I think it’s going to work out by the time we get to at least the third or fourth week of camp here.”
Apparently, the Chiefs’ front office is confident that they will come to an agreement with Jones before the start of the 2023-24 NFL season. He’s been the anchor of their defense and likely the second-best interior defensive lineman in the NFL after Aaron Donald. Jones averages more than nine sacks per season during his career, including a massive 15.5 sacks last season.
