The Kansas City Chiefs won their second consecutive Super Bowl and third in five seasons in 2023. Now, they want to be the first-ever team to win three in a row, and in order to do so, they’ll not only need to add to their roster but also keep their best players.
That includes Chris Jones, who has been leading the Chiefs’ defense for years but is set to hit free agency. While it won’t be easy to make the money work for both sides, there are some good signs for Jones returning to Kansas City. What is the latest on contract talks between Jones and the team?
Optimism Growing for Chris Jones to Make Kansas City Return
There was a similar ordeal ahead of the 2023 season with Jones’ contract and the Chiefs. However, the two sides were able to come together in agreement on a one-year deal worth $19.5 million, in which $18.4 million was guaranteed.
While the franchise tag was certainly an option for Jones in 2024, the Chiefs decided to use that on cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, who was also an impending free agent.
With the new league year and free agency starting March 13 (and the legal tampering period starting two days prior), there isn’t too much time left before Jones can start listening to offers from other teams. “I would give him a ton,” said one league source, according to The Athletic.
The Athletic also reported that there was “growing optimism,” according to league sources, that Jones and the Chiefs will come to terms on a deal before free agency.
At the NFL Combine that’s taking place from February 26 until March 4, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach was asked about the team’s status with Jones. “We tried really hard to get something done [last year], and we didn’t,” said Veach. “But when we got together right after that Detroit game [in early September], we had a great talk.”
Chiefs GM Brett Veach gives an update on Chris Jones and the negotiations.
Says it’s his belief both want Jones in KC, adds “he’s at the top of the list” pic.twitter.com/0AVHN31zjR
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) February 27, 2024
“Both parties, I think, want to be here, so we’ll get to work. That’s certainly a guy we want back and love and want to see him finish his career here in Kansas City,” said Veach. Jones is 29 years old, turning 30 over the summer. According to Spotrac, Jones’ market value is $28.4 million per year on a three-year deal worth $85.4 million.
Jones was taken in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Chiefs, where he’s spent his entire career. He’s since become a three-time Super Bowl champion, two-time first-team All-Pro, three-time second-team All-Pro, and five-time Pro Bowler. For his career, he has 273 tackles, 75.5 sacks, and 12 forced fumbles.
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The Chiefs have already freed up some cap space by releasing wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling. The move created $12 million in cap space and just $2 million in dead cap. This, among some other potential moves, is potentially paving the way for a new Jones deal.
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