Gap Remains Between Chiefs, Chris Jones
Hours from the Chiefs’ opener, they face the prospect of their second- and third-best gamers not being on the sector. Travis Kelce is coping with a knee hyperextension and bone bruise, and Chris Jones‘ holdout is effectively into its second month.
Jones could also be at Arrowhead Stadium tonight, however NFL.com’s James Palmer notes the All-Professional defensive deal with can be stationed in a set — to observe the Chiefs elevate a 3rd Tremendous Bowl banner — as his teammates go well with as much as face the Lions. Whereas an fascinating improvement given Jones’ present circumstances, the Chiefs are believed to be OK with the D-tackle holdout being current for the pregame ceremony.
The seven-year veteran mentioned Wednesday (via The Athletic’s Nate Taylor) he might go well with up tonight had been a deal agreed to, however each NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo point out nothing is shut (video links). This chorus has persevered for weeks, resulting in this undesired consequence. Jones will miss Kansas Metropolis’s first recreation, and whereas a 10-day hole resides between now and the crew’s Week 2 journey to Jacksonville, Nick Bosa‘s five-year, $170MM extension launched a brand new complication into these proceedings.
The Chiefs had tried to deal with Aaron Donald‘s $31.7MM-per-year Rams pact as an outlier, aiming to have Jones’ third contract are available nearer to the lately fashioned second tier Quinnen Williams presently tops (at $24MM AAV). Jones was related to a $30MM-per-year ask earlier this summer season however was lately tied to a $28MM-AAV aspiration. The Chiefs, in flip, are believed to have supplied a $24.7MM extension. With Bosa now at $34MM per yr, that might result in one other snag right here.
Donald has held the highest D-tackle wage since he signed a six-year Rams extension simply earlier than the 2018 season; the Rams licensed a landmark elevate (with no new years added) after a retirement risk. Whereas Donald’s 2022 replace nonetheless leads the pack at D-tackle by a large margin, Bosa’s new AAV impacts the move rusher market on the entire. With Jones being the one pure defensive deal with within the sack period (1982-present) with two 15-sack seasons, the Chiefs cornerstone could modify his argument after seeing Bosa’s holdout alter the pass-rushing wage panorama.
Indicating he didn’t wish to be a distraction to his teammates as a hold-in, Jones confirmed (via Taylor) he’s looking for a elevate forward of the ultimate season of a four-year, $80MM contract. Jones desires more cash upfront in his subsequent deal, Garafolo provides. Williams’ $47.8MM assure at signing tops all defensive tackles. T.J. Watt‘s $80MM had led the best way for all defenders, however Bosa’s not-yet-known full assure quantity virtually undoubtedly surpasses it. Jones, 28, is probably going looking for a assure effectively north of Williams’ quantity.
This holdout taking place totally to keep away from distracting his teammates can be fairly the costly gesture on Jones’ half. The previous second-round decide has racked up $2MM-plus in nonwaivable fines. The 49ers had been in a position to waive Bosa’s as a consequence of his holdout occurring on a rookie contract. Floating out the likelihood his return could not occur till the Week 8 deadline for a participant to report and earn an accrued season towards free company, Jones is the final holdout standing. Rumors this deadlock can be resolved earlier than coaching camp as soon as circulated. He’ll quickly comply with in Donald’s footsteps by lacking Week 1 on a holdout. Would Jones actually be ready to sacrifice greater than $10MM in complete by displaying up across the midseason level?
The Chiefs will go into Week 1 with lately re-signed DTs Derrick Nnadi and Tershawn Wharton in place. The crew additionally made a uncommon commerce with the Raiders, acquiring 2022 sixth-rounder Neil Farrell to go together with rookie sixth-rounder Keondre Coburn. For a Chiefs crew that moved on from Frank Clark and Carlos Dunlap and has UFA pickup Charles Omenihu beginning a six-game suspension, shedding Jones will severely limit its move rush. Kansas Metropolis has first-round defensive ends George Karlaftis and Felix Anudike-Uzomah as its prime edge investments.
