Defensive tackles across the NFL have gotten paid, but it doesn't look like Chris Jones is getting anywhere close to securing a contract extension with the Kansas City Chiefs.
This offseason, various young defensive tackles have all received new contract extensions with their respective teams. Jeffery Simmons, Dexter Lawrence, and Quinnen Williams received new deals with the Tennessee Titans, New York Giants, and New York Jets, respectively. That left Chris Jones, the star defensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs, remaining on tackles who need a new deal before hitting free agency. This is the final year that Jones will be under contract before he's allowed to hit the open market.
The latest update is not good news for the Chiefs and the fanbase.
According to ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter, Jones did not report to training camp with the rest of the Chiefs team on Saturday. Additionally, Schefter reported that the Chiefs and Jones remain "far apart" on a new contract.
Chris Jones, Chiefs reportedly 'far apart' on new contract
With Jones not reporting, what's next? Well, Jone is going to be subject to a daily fine for every day he misses training camp. According to ESPN's Field Yates, the mandatory daily fine will be $50,000.
When it comes to defensive tackles getting paid, the player who stands atop the rest is Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams. In terms of annual salary, Donald makes a staggering $31.67 million per year on his current three-year, $95 million deal with the Rams. Finishing second on the annual average salary list is Williams, who makes $24 million per year on his four-year, $96 million contract with the Jets. As for Jones, he ranks eighth among all defensive tackles with his $20 million per year average.
These numbers are all according to Spotrac.
Jones is coming off of a stellar 2022 season with the Chiefs. In 17 regular-season games, Jones recorded 44 combined tackles (30 solo, 14 assisted), 29 quarterback hits, 15.5 sacks, four passes defended, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. Jones finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting behind winner Nick Bosa of the San Francisco 49ers and Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys.
It will remain to be seen how long Jones will hold out from training camp, but the portion of the Schefter report that should have Chiefs fans scared is that they and the player are nowhere near close to agreeing to terms on a contract extension.