Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones sent a positive message to the fanbase as he isn’t absent from mandatory minicamp.
This offseason, the defensive tackle market saw an increase in price. Young players like Daron Payne of the Washington Commanders, Jeffrey Simmons of the Tennessee Titans, and Dexter Lawrence of the New York Giants all received contracts worth equal to or more than $90 million. With that, players at that same position will look to earn a deal similar to that. But as for veterans who were at the top of their game will look to exceed it.
Chris Jones of the Kansas City Chiefs is one of them. Jones is in search of a new deal, as his contract expires at the end of the upcoming season. With this in mind, Jones didn’t make an appearance at the team’s mandatory minicamp this week.
This week, Jones sent a message to Chiefs fans on his Instagram account, with a video of himself recording a sack against Los Angeles Rams quarterback Bryce Perkins and having a rather interesting celebration. The caption read “Coming for it all. #Year8.”
Chris Jones sends message as he sits out of Chiefs mandatory minicamp
Back in 2020, the Chiefs initially placed the franchise tag on Jones, giving them a couple of months to work on a contract extension before the deadline. Sure enough, Jones and the Chiefs reached an agreement on a four-year, $80 million contract.
Now in the final year of his deal, Jones is earning a $19.5 million base salary and counts for $28.29 million against the cap for the Chiefs. But, general manager Brett Veach and Jones are hoping to reach an agreement on a new extension before training camp.
According to The Athletic’s Nate Taylor (subscription required), the Chiefs are waiting to see if Quinnen Williams agrees to a new extension with the New York Jets before training camp and if he becomes the second-highest paid player at his position behind Aaron Donald, the Chiefs “would then be able to negotiate a proper extension with Jones to see if both parties can agree to such a deal ahead of the upcoming season.”
This past season, Jones recorded 44 combined tackles (30 solo, 14 assisted), 29 quarterback hits, 17 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks, four passes defended, and two forced fumbles.
Chiefs fans will no doubt be waiting to see if and when Jones and the team can reach a long-term agreement, which would further help their chances of building a dynasty.