Jason Burgos
While Chris Jones is set to make his 2023 debut for the Kansas City Chiefs today, it is looking more and more likely that this could be his final year with the only team he has ever played for.
At the start of training camp and throughout the Summer, Chris Jones and the Kansas City Chiefs spoke confidently about their chances of ending their contract dispute and agreeing on a revised deal before the start of the new season. However, the first week of the NFL season came and the four-time Pro Bowler was not in uniform for their surprise loss to the Detroit Lions last week.
Fortunately for the team, the organization and Jones did eventually agree to a revised version of his contract that satisfied the All-Pro enough that he will be back on the field Sunday for their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, keeping him after this season will be a major problem for Kansas City.
- Chris Jones stats (2022): 44 tackles, 15.5 sacks, 29 QB hits
Kansas City Chiefs unlikely to use franchise tag on Chris Jones in 2024
Following the news of a restructured contract for the gifted pass rusher, it was revealed that the organization would still have the opportunity to use its franchise tag on Jones next Spring. But earlier today ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter explained why that may not be possible for the Chiefs.
“If the Chiefs were to tag Jones after the season, the price tag would be expected to be about $32 million,” Schefter wrote. “Kansas City also is projected to be right at the salary cap when the new league year starts in 2024, so it would be incredibly challenging, if not impossible, to clear out the corresponding room to tag Jones, based on a review of their contractual obligations. The Chiefs would have to release or restructure the contracts of too many players to be able to tag Jones.”
If the Kansas City Chiefs can’t use that tag, that would allow Jones to head into NFL free agency and a likely bidding war would ensue with rival teams that would see the value in adding one of the best pass rushers in the league. Something the organization doesn’t want and likely won’t win against teams with far more cap flexibility.
Jones has been a member of the roster since being drafted in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He has helped the franchise win two Super Bowls with dominant play during the post season in that time.
