Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones is set to enter the 2023 season in the final year of his four-year, $80 million contract, but it looks like he will be missing quite a few games as he seeks a new deal.
Cryptic tweets are a thing of the past as Jones broke his silence on his holdout and spoke to the media at an event with McDonald’s in Kansas City. Media members were in attendance to greet him and ask him about his decision to hold out.
“I can’t really talk about it,” Jones said. “Hopefully, it gets worked out. It has always been my goal to be a Kansas City Chief for life. I’ve said that multiple times on social media platforms and in interviews. They know where my position is at and hopefully something can get worked out.”
He also spoke on the people who have so much to say about it.
Despite not participating in Kansas City’s offseason activities, including training camp and the preseason, Jones feels he could still suit up for Thursday’s NFL season opener against the Detroit Lions.
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“I can play right now,” Jones said. “If a deal gets done today, I’m on the field tomorrow.”
The Athletic previously reported that Jones is looking for a contract that will pay him $30 million annually. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported this week that Kansas City offered Jones a three-year deal worth $74 million. He said, “$70 million would be guaranteed for injury, with a lower amount fully guaranteed.”
His holdout is currently still in process after the team officially placed him on the Reserve/Did Not Report list last week during final roster cuts. Unless things progress at a rapid pace, you will not be seeing Jones on the field when the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Detroit Lions on Thursday at Arrowhead.
Jones, a four-time Pro Bowler, had 15.5 sacks last season.
