Chris Jones Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs GM delivers ‘hopeful’ message on Chris Jones’s Week 1 status

By Vinny Somma | Last updated 8/31/23

With preseason out of the way and their initial 53-man roster stamped and sealed, the Kansas City Chiefs are now honing in on their season opener against the Detroit Lions.

While the team and star defensive lineman Chris Jones remain at odds over a contract dispute, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach is optimistic that the two parties will iron things out in time for Jones to suit up for the team in Week 1.

"Yeah, listen, we're certainly hopeful for that," Veach told reporters on Wednesday, noting that communication with Jones has ramped up in recent days.

"We're looking forward to next Thursday, and hopefully he's in the lineup and he's ready to go," Veach stated.

#Chiefs GM Brett Veach says he's hopeful that DT Chris Jones will play in their season opener vs. the Lions, which is just eight days away.

Veach mentioned that there has been increased communication on an extension over the past two days. pic.twitter.com/MpLGt0mYhz
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 30, 2023

Jones, who is under contract with the organization through the end of the 2023 season, was a no-show throughout training camp and the preseason. On Tuesday, Kansas City was forced to place Jones on the Reserve/Did Not Report list, with ESPN's Adam Schefter claiming that there is "no end currently in sight" regarding the All-Pro's holdout.

While Veach's latest comments hint at the team making headway in contract negotiations with Jones, the Chiefs are up against the clock if they hope to have No. 95 at their disposal next Thursday night.

Sports Illustrated’s Greg Bishop reported last week that Jones is seeking a deal in the range of Aaron Donald's $31.6M average yearly salary. While Jones's production — 56.5 sacks since 2018 — proves he's worthy of such a payday, the Chiefs are reportedly "unwilling" to make Jones the highest-paid defensive tackle in football, per Nate Taylor of The Athletic.

Since 2018 players with at least 55 sacks + 120 QB hits:

Chris Jones
Aaron Donald
Myles Garrett
T.J. Watt

Jones deserves superstar money pic.twitter.com/3vL3c5hZVP
— Hard Rock Bet (@HardRockBet) August 23, 2023

According to Spotrac, there is a $7.6M gap between Donald and the next highest-paid defensive tackle in football (Quinnen Williams - $24M per year). If the Chiefs offer a contract slightly below Donald's average pay but above Williams' yearly earnings, it might be enough to convince Jones to end his holdout and report to the team in time for Week 1.

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