Chris Jones’ future remains uncertain. While he and the Kansas City Chiefs are said to be discussing a potential contract extension, nothing is certain at the moment. However, according to the latest updates, there’s a good chance the defensive star will return to Kansas City.
Even better, the Chiefs could sign him to a deal that is below what he could command should he enter free agency.
Chris Jones’ Future With the Kansas City Chiefs
Jones’ future with the Chiefs have been the biggest question mark ever since the team won their second straight Super Bowl title. With him and cornerback L’Jarius Sneed both free agents and expected to get paid big, it looks impossible that Kansas City would be able to retain them both.
Sneed is expected to get franchise-tagged, though his future is still unknown as he could search for a trade. As for Jones, the team has been locked in on reaching a new deal with him. His market value is at $28.4 million, according to Spotrac, but there’s belief he could get more in free agency.
The good thing for the Chiefs is that Jones is not asking for more. Apparently, rumors suggest that he would re-sign with the team if they offer him a deal worth $27 million to $28 million per year.
“Will Chris Jones escape Kansas City? Most around the league do not expect it, but they also don’t expect the talented free agent defensive tackle to take a discount. The feeling is if Kansas City can reach the range of $27 million to $28 million per year, that should help close the deal,” Jeremy Fowler of ESPN said.
Of course that’s easier said than done. As Fowler noted, the Chiefs are not known for paying a premium to their defensive players.
But if the Chiefs don’t pay Jones and allow him to hit the market, there is a possibility they won’t be able to retain the 30-year-old defensive tackle. After all, plenty of teams will be vying for his services and a bidding war could happen, which then raise his price even more.
Patrick Mahomes Can Help Chiefs Keep Chris Jones
The Kansas City Chiefs need to create cap space in order to offer Chris Jones the contract he desires. As things currently stand, their cap space is at $17.1 million.
Fortunately for Kansas City, there is a way they can free up some money. By adjusting Patrick Mahomes’ contract that has eight years left on it, they can make some more room to field a better offer for Jones.
Here’s what Dan Graziano for ESPN said in order to make that happen:
“One of the best assets the Chiefs have at their disposal for these moves is Mahomes’ contract, which has eight years left on it and affords them the perpetual ability to convert salary to bonuses and clear cap room. If the Chiefs did a full restructure on his 2024 compensation — converting all but the required $1.21 million veteran minimum salary to a signing bonus and also converting his $34.9 million roster bonus to a signing bonus — they’d reduce his 2024 cap number from its current $58.6 million to around $23 million.”
It remains to be seen what the Chiefs will do to resolve their current financial woes, but there’s still a path for them to make something happen and keep Jones.
If Kansas City is determined to become the first team to secure a Super Bowl three-peat, they will need their defensive core to remain intact. Jones is at the heart of that.
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