Back in February, Chris Jones and the Kansas City Chiefs were celebrating a Super Bowl LVII victory. For some, it feels like eons ago. For others, it feels like yesterday. But now we’re gearing back up for the start of a new NFL season with the Chiefs looking to defend their throne as champions.
On Saturday, coach Andy Reid’s squad reported for duty to take part in training camp in St. Joseph, MO, but one of their franchise cornerstones didn’t show up. Two-time All-Pro pass rusher Chris Jones, entering the final year of his contract, refused to report to camp.
He’s been angling for a new contract all offseason, but as ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes, the two sides are “far apart” at the negotiation table. For each day Jones remains away from camp, the team has the option to fine him $50,000. Unlike in past years, the Chiefs no longer have the chance to erase those fines.
Jones is set to hold a cap hit of $28.2 million for the Chiefs this season, but a new contract could bring changes to that number too. Otherwise, Jones has a base salary of $19.5 million, with a $500k workout bonus.
He’s still just 29 years old and is coming off a 15.5 sack performance, where Jones finished third in the running for Defensive Player of the Year. Jones has tallied 65 sacks in his seven-year pro career since joining the team as the 37th pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
But it’s clear Jones wants to be rewarded not only for his past success but also for what he plans to continue doing in Kansas City, and that’s wrecking the opponent’s game plans on a weekly basis. We’ll see how long Jones can go without football and how long the Chiefs can withstand the absence of their best defensive player this summer.