Dec 1, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Chris Jones (95) celebrates after sacking Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) (not pictured) during the game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
The Kansas City Chiefs will head into training camp feeling great after signing Patrick Mahomes to a record-breaking contract extension. The organization might not be done spending, now engaging in talks with All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones.
Kansas City placed its franchise tag on Jones early this offseason, ensuring that the All-Pro defensive tackle wouldn’t it the open market this year. However, with the organization so focused on Mahomes’ extension, talks with the team’s defensive MVP barely got off the ground.
Now with the franchise-tag deadline looming on Wednesday, things seem to be picking up. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Chiefs have begun discussing a contract extension with Jones and that in itself is viewed as a “big victory” with only a few days remaining to sign him to a long-term deal.
While a majority of the players hit with the franchise tag have either signed an extension or will play under the tag, the situation in Kansas City is more volatile. The 26-year-old has threatened to sit out the 2020 NFL season, taking the same approach as Le’Veon Bell in 2018.
Jones wants to become one of the NFL’s highest-paid defenders, targeting a multi-year deal worth more than $20 million per season. Notably, the Chiefs gave his teammate Frank Clark a $105.5 million contract after trading a massive collection of draft picks for him.
The Chiefs are already tight against the NFL’s salary cap and a potential clap cap in 2021 would only make the financial situation even tighter. If both sides can’t agree on an extension, the Chiefs could be in danger of losing a player who recorded 49 quarterback hits, 27 tackles for loss and 24.5 sacks over the past two seasons