The clock is ticking on the Kansas City Chiefs and star defensive tackle Chris Jones to reach an agreement on a new deal before the club begins its Super Bowl title defense against the Detroit Lions on Thursday night.
Jones is entering the final season of a four-year deal worth $80 million that he signed in the 2020 offseason. Last week, he told a fan on X (formerly known as “Twitter”), that he was willing to hold out until Week 8.
According to a report from Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Kansas City offered Jones a new three-year pact worth $74 million. Amid rumors that Jones wants to top Aaron Donald’s salary, Florio stated that the former is willing “split the difference.”
Here’s what Florio said:
“Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the Chiefs have offered to replace the $19.5 million that Jones is due to earn in 2023 with $74 million over the next three years. Of that amount, $70 million would be guaranteed for injury, with a lower amount fully guaranteed.
That’s an average of $24.67 million, and $7 million per year less than the Donald deal. Jones, we’re told, isn’t trying to get to Donald’s number. In fact, he’d split the difference.
The midpoint between the team’s offer and the Donald deal is $28.17 million. In other words, instead of $95 million over three years (the Donald deal), Jones would take $84.5 million over three. The Chiefs, again, are at $74 million over three years.”
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If Jones decides to sit out multiple games, it will leave the Chiefs’ blitz-happy defense without its top two pass-rushers of the last four years. Frank Clark was released in a cap-saving move earlier this offseason, and the two-time Super Bowl champion wound up signing with the AFC West rival Denver Broncos.
A four-time Pro Bowler, Jones racked up 15.5 sacks last season, matching the career-high he posted in 2018. He has 65 career sacks, 12 forced fumbles and 33 pass defenses in 107 career games.
