The Kansas City Chiefs seem to be on their cloud nine following the achievement of two Lombardi trophies in the last four seasons and the team’s superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes will probably want to hold the form in the upcoming seasons.
The Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones is entangled in a complex trade situation and Mahomes, being the leader, has thrown his weight behind his fellow teammate by raving about him and recognizing his immense value to the team’s defense.
Chris Jones contract situation
Jones, a formidable force on the field and a vital component of Kansas City’s defensive unit, is set to enter the final year of a four-year, $80-million contract he signed in 2020 and is going to earn $19.5 million in base salary this season, holding a $28.2-million cap hit per Over The Cap.
The 28-year-old requires an extension contract to move ahead of the 2024-25 season unless the franchise decides to use a franchise tag on him to have control over his contract status.
The Chiefs general manager Brett Veach shed light on the topic before the franchise’s Super Bowl LVII ring ceremony and cited optimism to have the veteran star locked in Kansas City’s roster for a long tenure,
“We have great communication and there’s a lot of time before camp. [I] feel good about where we’re going to be with Chris. We’ll get to celebrate tonight and have a good time, break tomorrow, and I’m sure we’ll have great dialogue from now to the start of training camp and look forward to Chris being here not just for next year, but for a long time.”
Brett Veach on Chris Jones: "Feel good about where we're going to be with Chris." #Chiefs pic.twitter.com/ZLIR2kY2CL
— Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3) June 16, 2023
According to the report of The Athletic, the first-team All-Pro wants to be one of the two highest-paid players at his position and the Chiefs are eying if the New York Jets give Quinnen Williams a contract extension before the start of training camp so that they can fulfill their DT’s wish, however, Brett said there is no definite timetable on when they hope to extend the contract of Jones.
“Not really. Listen, we have a long history together and we have a great relationship with his agent. I mean, these things usually get worked out right before [or] right during the first start of camp so we anticipate the same, and we’ll see how it goes.”
Patrick Mahomes showers praise on Jones
Chris didn’t attend the Chiefs Super Bowl Rings and he also missed the team’s recent mandatory minicamp due to being upset over his contract status.
The football prodigy is one of the only persons to keep Jones safe behind the line of scrimmage and hence, the Chiefs QB couldn’t halt back from supporting his fellow teammate in the tough time and showered praise on the four-time Pro Bowl selection.
#Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes on Chris Jones. pic.twitter.com/vUrHqjpooA
— Nick Jacobs (@Jacobs71) June 15, 2023
“It’s part of the business. Chris knows that we love him here. He’s been a part of this team for a long time. He’s one of the main reasons that we’ve had the success that we’ve had; he’s been that leader on the defense. He’s made a lot of big plays in what seem like the biggest moments. And you want those guys on your team,” said Patrick.
Mahomes team might not want to lose another troop after losing Frank Clark in free agency to the Denver Broncos, especially for a defensive player who led all interior pass-rushers with 15.5 sacks.
The Chiefs’ fans will be hoping for a mutual agreement between Jones and their favorite team to continue wreaking havoc in opposing backfields and keep the winning form for years to come.
