Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones’ holdout has now stretched into the preseason, and there may not be an end in sight. Jones, searching for an extension as he enters the final year of his existing contract, has already missed training camp and two exhibition games.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid suggested Jones’ absence could be open-ended.
Andy Reid: ‘No Communication’ With Chris Jones During Holdout
Following a wave of offseason defensive tackle extensions, Jones’ $20 million annual average value now sits ninth at the position. With Aaron Donald’s outlier deal topping the list at $31.67 million, Jones is believed to have requested at least $30 million per year from Kansas City.
But negotiations haven’t produced any results, and Reid hinted today that Jones’ holdout could extend into the regular season.
“There’s been no communication, so I don’t know what’s going to go there,” Reid said.
“Whatever happens, happens, and if he’s not there, the game goes on, right? That’s how it works. … There’s just been no communication.”
Andy Reid on Chris Jones: "There's been no communication. … Whatever happens, happens. The game goes on."
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) August 23, 2023
Jones, 29, was dominant while winning his second Super Bowl ring with the Chiefs in 2022. He finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting and secured a first-team All-Pro berth after posting 15.5 sacks. Jones ranked fifth among all NFL defenders in pressures and was the only interior defender to finish in the top 10.
“It wouldn’t be as good as one with [him], and I think we certainly acknowledge that,” Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said of the club’s roster earlier this month.
“I mean, he’s the guy that makes everything tick. I think that’s apparent to us, and that’s why — going into the offseason and even to where we are now —–that’s why our mindset is to continue to work hard to get something done with him because that’s how we feel about him.
“… He’s a great player, and he wants a big contract. He deserves a big contract, and I don’t think there’s any surprises in that regard. But there’s just some hurdles we have to work through in regards to how we can keep this thing going for the short and long term. But we’ve never wavered on, ‘This is a guy that we want to exhaust all of our efforts to get done.’”
When Could Chris Jones Report to the Chiefs?
Jones missed out on a $500,000 bonus by not participating in Kansas City’s offseason workout program. And the Chiefs have to fine him $50,000 per day for each day he misses during training camp and the preseason.
The most recent version of the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement tried to get rid of training camp holdouts by making fines mandatory and non-revocable. In the past, teams would simply waive fines once players reported — but that’s no longer an option.
Jones has already earned more than $67 million during his NFL career, so he can afford to wait things out. Plus, he and his agent have likely already determined that accepting these daily fines is part of a negotiation process that will lead to a significant contract offer from the Chiefs.
How long will Jones’ holdout drag on? It could be a while.
Asked by a fan on Twitter this week when he plans to show up, Jones replied, “Week 8.”
Week 8
— Chris Jones (@StoneColdJones) August 22, 2023
Jones clearly knows what he’s doing. By reporting in Week 8, he would still get credit for the season and be on track to reach free agency next spring. Jones would play the minimum number of games allowed in order to satisfy his contract.
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He’d still miss out on $7.5 million in game checks by skipping half the season, while his fines would be near $2 million.
But if Jones can reel in $30 million on his next deal from the Chiefs, his holdout will have been worth it.