The Kansas City Chiefs and defensive end Chris Jones have yet to agree to a contract extension, and training camp is here.
The gap between what the Chiefs prefer to pay Chris Jones and what the All-Pro believe he deserves is wide. Jones wants to be the second-highest paid defensive player in football, just behind Aaron Donald. That would likely require a deal near $30 million AAV.
Currently, Jones is on the final season of a four-year, $80 million contract. Jones would prefer to avoid the franchise tag shenanigans which await him in 2023-24, when he can be an unrestricted free agent.
Kansas City has much on its mind entering training camp, including a new deal for Patrick Mahomes. Quinnen Williams of the Jets just recently signed a four-year, $96 million contract extension with $66 million guaranteed, making the Chiefs job even tougher. Don't expect this holdout to end anytime soon.
Chiefs: When will Chris Jones report to training camp?
Jones, who was a finalist for AP Defensive Player of the Year, registered 15.5 sacks and helped his team win a Super Bowl in 2022, is unlikely to report to training camp until he receives the deal he covets.
Entering his age-30 season, Jones knows he cannot perform at this level forever. He's due one last big payday, and this is his moment. Kansas City general manager Brett Veach knows that, as well, which is why the two sides are at a bit of a stalemate.
"We love Chris," Clark Hunt said. "When he decides to report, we'll welcome him."
"We really don't think about it in the context of, 'Who is the highest-paid player?'" Hunt added. "We think about it in the context of the Chiefs — and what's best for the organization, not only this year but as we go forward. One of the challenges is the salary cap. It makes it tough to keep a championship team together."
For Kansas City, this much is true. Dynasties in the salary cap era are increasingly rare, and tough to put together. If the Chiefs deem Jones an essential member of their core, then they will re-sign him eventually. If he's expendeable, then they'll play the waiting game.