The situation between star defensive tackle Chris Jones and the Kansas City Chiefs took a more dire turn Sunday. The Chiefs All-Pro defender missed training camp this summer as he holds out for a better deal after his monster 2022 season.
According to Tom Pelissero with the NFL Network, Jones has racked up nearly $2 million in heavy fines from missing practices in July and August.
The running tab: Chris Jones racked up roughly $2 million in fines during his training camp holdout. He also gave up a $500,000 workout bonus. He would forfeit an additional $1,083,333 for each regular-season game missed. https://t.co/W9QLcAbOTm
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 3, 2023
Jones reportedly told a fan the fines weren’t an issue for him. Jones said he could hold out through Week 8 because he has the cash to do so.
The Chiefs played their first regular season game against the Detroit Lions on Thursday night. The Chiefs are practicing this weekend ahead of the TNF matchup.
Chris Jones sends the Kansas City Chiefs a dire warning
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Sunday’s Chiefs practice was the equivalent of a Wednesday practice for an NFL team playing on Sunday. Jones was not a participant in the Chiefs practice Sunday.
#Chiefs star DT Chris Jones, who is still holding out, isn’t present and won’t be at today’s practice — considered a Wednesday practice of game week — with the two sides not close on a deal, sources say.
KC opens the season Thursday against the #Lions.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 3, 2023
The implication of the report is clear. Jones isn’t bluffing. The Chiefs should not expect to see Jones in Week 1 of the regular season.
The pressure will be on Kansas City to field a competitive defense without Jones. Jones’ domination of the interior part of the trenches made it easier for the rest of the Chiefs’ pass rush and defensive line to be effective last season. They could find they must pay Jones even more money to keep in Kansas City.
The flip side is also true. Jones is taking a risk by not showing up. If the Chiefs’ defense looks good without Jones, maybe their front office decides paying the 29-year-old Aaron Donald money isn’t worth it for the team in the long run.
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1 Comment
Football is a team sport and Jones is not part of any team, he is a one man show and an old man who is taken with himself. Chiefs fan should ignore him!