Why Chiefs Fans Shouldn’t Celebrate Chris Jones’ New Contract
Chris Jones’ holdout is over. He will report to the Chiefs under a reworked one-year contract and is expected to be in the lineup on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Holdout over: The #Chiefs and DT Chris Jones have agreed to terms on a 1-year deal done by @KatzBrosSports. pic.twitter.com/w4pj888nJf
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 11, 2023
Jones was reportedly given incentives that would result in the large payday he was after, but Chiefs fans shouldn’t be too happy about this new contract.
Yes, it’s great news for Kansas City’s chances this year that Jones is back in red and white, but the situation moving forward is far murkier.
This is Chris Jones’ Last Season With the Chiefs
This was not a contract extension. Similar to Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs, Jones just reworked his contract this season. Like those players, I expect Jones to be playing for a different team next year.
I’m reminded of the 1990s Chicago Bulls’ “Last Dance” when Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and others knew they were entering their final season together. Today feels like that for the Chiefs’ championship core of Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Jones. This is their last shot as a trio, so let’s make it count.
Can confirm that Chris Jones received multiple incentives for this season to earn the large raise he wanted when the negotiations started, the Katz Brothers confirm (@AdamSchefter 1st.)
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) September 11, 2023
Jones, as he said last week, is expected to be in uniform when the Chiefs play the Jaguars. https://t.co/1pd5plJxfK
It seems wildly unlikely that either Brett Veach or Chris Jones would cave after the season. Jones will still want his huge payday; Veach will still want to avoid paying top dollar for a player who’ll be over 30.
Kansas City can still franchise tag Jones after the season, though that’d lock the organization into a hefty price tag. Instead, it feels most probable that the Chiefs will have this one last dance with the best defensive player on the team before the two go their separate ways.
Veach and the front office now have much more time to figure out Jones’ replacement, while Jones has a true contract year. If he plays at a similar level to last season, he can expect a team to break the bank for his services.
At least for today, the Chiefs are a happy family again. We know the end is near, but at least now the team can focus on its swan song instead of dealing with uncertainty.
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