The Kansas City Chiefs wrapped up their mandatory minicamp last week, the last time we will see the team together until training camp in July. While a majority of the team was present for the practices, there was one glaring omission; star defensive end Chris Jones.
Jones didn’t participate as he and the Chiefs are working out a contract extension. While it was certainly disappointing to not have him there, the two sides still have some time to work things out.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes isn’t too worried about the situation, as he talked to reporters after practice on Thursday. He knows that it is just part of life in the NFL but wanted to make sure Jones knew how he and his Chiefs teammates felt about him.
“It’s part of the business,” Mahomes said, via Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com. “Chris knows that we love him here. He’s been a part of this team for a long time. He’s one of the main reasons that we’ve had the success that we’ve had; he’s been that leader on the defense. He’s made a lot of big plays in what seem like the biggest moments. And you want those guys on your team.”
Jones is entering the final season of his contract, an extension that he signed with Kansas City back in July 2022. It was a four-year, $80 million deal that will pay him a base salary of $19.5 million this upcoming season.
The defensive tackle market exploded this offseason with four different players signing contracts north of $80 million. That is a number Jones could very well surpass a second time as he and general manager Brett Veach are in constant communication about a new deal according to head coach Andy Reid.
“It’s the offseason. Even though you’re getting better, I’m sure Chris is working, and he knows the defense that he needs to do,” Mahomes said. “The hope is everything’s good by training camp, and we’re able to come in and just roll.
“That’s just part of it — and that’s what makes this team so great: whenever guys like that have to go handle their business, we let them handle it. When they jump back in the building, we get back right where we left off.” (H/T ProFootballTalk)
Jones, who turns 29 in July, finished third in the Defensive Player of the Year award voting last season. He earned his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl nod while also landing on the All-Pro First Team for the first time in his career after three occasions on the Second Team.
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