Embed from Getty Images
The Kansas City Chiefs are suddenly in full swing for 2023 training camp. Quarterbacks and rookies reported early last week. Meanwhile, the entire veteran group ended up reporting on Saturday. There was one notable veteran who did not report to Chiefs training camp, however. Unless you have been living under a rock, you know that this player is star defensive tackle Chris Jones.
Throughout this summer, getting a contract extension done with Chris Jones was arguably one of the top priorities on Kansas City’s to-do list. In our prior articles surrounding this specific topic, we have laid out how negotiations may be different between he and the team this time around. We also mapped out what possible contract details could roughly look like on an extension. Finally, there even appeared to be positive signs growing towards a deal getting done before the start of training camp.
But now, Chris Jones is holding out to begin the start of 2023 training camp. What are some possible hurdles that still have to be ironed out, in order for a deal to get done? We will look into that, along with leverage points that each side may have amid this holdout. Let’s kick it off.
Leverage Points On Jones’ Side
It would be an understatement to say that Chris Jones has been playing as one of the best, if not the best, defensive tackles outside of Aaron Donald. Defensive linemen will largely generate more buzz from a statistical standpoint, if they are playing on the edge or as a defensive end. But for some leverage points in negotiations in the favor of Jones, his stats are truly remarkable for a defensive tackle.
His 15.5 sacks from last season tied a previous career high, which occurred in 2018. That was tied for the third-highest sack figure last year with Matthew Judon. Only Nick Bosa (18.5 sacks), Myles Garrett (16 sacks) and Haason Reddick (16 sacks) had more last season. Furthermore, Jones recorded his first two playoff sacks in this most recent playoff run. His pressures and hurries both exceeded 40 in 2022. Last year was arguably a year in which the Chiefs defender could have won Defensive Player of the Year.
Interestingly, Chris Jones accumulated 916 defensive snaps last year. Why is that important? For one, that was the most defensive snaps that he had ever played in a single season throughout his career, accounting for 80 percent of the total defensive snaps. Only Christian Wilkins of the Miami Dolphins played more snaps among defensive tackles last year (955 snaps, 84 percent of Miami’s defensive snaps). Additionally, Jones has some leverage of performing in clutch moments at many points over a long period of time. Could this player actually be worth anywhere above $25 million per season and be paid as the second-highest defensive tackle in the league? I’d say he has a strong case.
Leverage Points On Kansas City’s Side
The leverage points on Kansas City’s side of this equation may not necessarily be in an attempt to attack Chris Jones. But instead, it involves their main nucleus within the roster going forward. The Chiefs have done well to not get too old in most spots on the roster. And while Jones just turned 29 years old, Kansas City has been smart with how they approach players entering their thirties.
-
EP 136: Week 3 Studs and Duds
by Full Press Coverage on September 26, 2023 at 7:01 pm
The Chiefs are also due to pay some other players handsomely very soon. Sure, the salary cap is expected to continue to go up. You can also maneuver around it and manipulate it to a certain extent. But of course, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach and his staff have done well to keep Kansas City out of salary cap hell. They have not been willing to budge on resetting the market with players not named Patrick Mahomes. And in the end, they may be more willing to come close to resetting the market with players that are protecting Mahomes himself. Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith will both be due extensions soon.
In the end, Chris Jones is subject to a fine of $50,000 for each day missed in training camp, under the rules of the CBA. That could possibly lead to the defensive tackle reporting relatively soon. The Chiefs and Chris Jones could then attempt to hammer out any final details in person in hopes of getting a deal done, as a result.
What To Make Of Various Reports Amid Holdout
Overall, there have been different angles to the reporting of where this Chris Jones situation stands. ESPN’s Adam Schefter mentioned that the two sides were “far apart” on a new deal. That seems to be a bit exaggerated, to a point. Perhaps, Schefter is gathering more information from Jones’ camp than anyone else and what their priorities are.
Chiefs’ All-Pro DT Chris Jones, who has been seeking a new deal this off-season, did not report with the rest of the team to training camp today, per source. The two sides remain “far apart” on a new deal for the Defensive Players of the Year finalist. pic.twitter.com/7doEzdxZcO
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 22, 2023
Earlier on in the offseason, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated expressed optimism in a deal getting done before the start of training camp. NFL Network’s James Palmer seemed to echo that sentiment, to boot. Although, he got the sense that this optimism was not necessarily mutual as the start of training camp approached.
The #Chiefs were optimistic something would get done by the start of training camp. We are here and a deal isn’t done. My sense is that feeling of optimism wasn’t really mutual from both sides as camp approached. https://t.co/cXW2zCdMZJ
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) July 22, 2023
No matter what report or quote you want to believe, Chris Jones is likely demanding at or near the top of the market, from an average annual value standpoint on his next contract. Will Kansas City be willing to do that for a defensive player nearing his thirties? Or, will the Chiefs decide to meet the asking price of the defensive tackle going into the future?
Be on the lookout for more FPC Chiefs articles and analysis throughout this week. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.
– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.
-
Ep 171: Discussing The Career Of George Kunz With Son Mattby Full Press Coverage on September 23, 2023 at 2:30 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Matt Kunz, son of former Colts lineman George […]
-
Ep 170: The 1986 Giants With Gary Myersby Full Press Coverage on September 15, 2023 at 9:44 pm
HOF voter and author Gary Myers joins Clark and Ira to discuss his new […]
-
Ep 169: Discussing Art Powell and the AFL With Historian Todd Tobiasby Full Press Coverage on September 3, 2023 at 3:04 pm
AFL historian Todd Tobias joins Clark and Ira to talk Art Powell and the […]
-
Ep 168: Hall of Fame Finalist Randy Gradishar Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 24, 2023 at 8:44 pm
Former Broncos linebacker and member of the Orange Crush Defense, Randy […]
-
How Evaluating Offensive Tackles takes on a new identity in today's gameby LandryFootball.com on September 28, 2023 at 10:00 am
Some years ago, Bill Parcells told me that regarding the types of players […]
-
Breaking down the Good & Bad of Coaching Decisions in week 3 of NFLby LandryFootball.com on September 27, 2023 at 11:00 pm
There were multiple analytically interesting decisions made in Week 3. […]
-
Ep 307: FAAB Talk and Taylor Swiftby Full Press Coverage on September 27, 2023 at 1:55 am
-
Ep 306: Week 2 Fantasy Football Previewby Full Press Coverage on September 14, 2023 at 3:06 am
-
Ep 305: TE Target Totals from Week 1by Full Press Coverage on September 12, 2023 at 2:28 am
-
Ep 304: The NFL Season Is Hereby Full Press Coverage on September 7, 2023 at 3:13 am
-
Ep 185: Week 4 Preview vs Lionsby Full Press Coverage on September 26, 2023 at 12:36 am
A solo Senra show. For this episode, Kyle Senra previews the upcoming […]
-
Ep 184: Week 3 Instant Reactionby Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 12:47 am
The Green Bay Packers were in another 1-point game, this time a 18-17 win […]
-
Full Press Hurricanes- 9- 28 - Hurricanes steal 4-1 preseason win over the Panthersby Full Press Coverage on September 28, 2023 at 4:30 pm
The Hurricanes scored 3 goals in 3 minutes in the 3rd period to eliminate […]
-
Full Press Hurricanes - 9-27 - First Preseason Game. First Preseason Win!by Full Press Coverage on September 28, 2023 at 1:30 pm
The Hurricanes dominated the scoring in their first preseason matchup with […]
-
Full Press Islanders - 9-27 - Recap of Preseason openerby Full Press Coverage on September 27, 2023 at 3:15 pm
We talk about last nights loss in the Preseason opener to the Rangers and […]
-
Full Press Wild - 9-27 - Recapping the Wild’s preseason loss to Dallas.by Full Press Coverage on September 27, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Preseason, Stars, Wild Learn more about your ad choices. Visit […]
-
Renegades Of Puck Ep 797by Charlie Saunier on September 27, 2023 at 5:01 am
Renegades Of Puck Ep 797 The Renegades Of Puck Recap Last Season, […]
-
Full Press Kraken - 9-26 - Preseason games, numbers, notes.by Full Press Coverage on September 26, 2023 at 10:15 pm
Reviewing the split squad games and numbers Learn more about your ad […]
-
9/28 - Dame Traded, Zach Wilson And The Jets, Packers/Lions Previewby Full Press Coverage on September 28, 2023 at 2:07 pm
Ian and John discuss the Damian Lillard trade, the Jets predicament with […]
-
9/26 - Eagles/Bengals Win On MNF, Mac Jones, and Much Moreby Full Press Coverage on September 26, 2023 at 2:04 pm
Ian and John discuss the Eagles and Bengals wins on Monday Night Football, […]
-
9/25 - Week 3 Reactions, Dolphins Hang 70, Biggest Disappointmentsby Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 1:46 pm
Ian and John react to a fascinating Week 3 in the NFL and talk about some […]
-
9/22 - 49ers Move To 3-0, Week 2 Picks and Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 1:58 pm
Ian and John discuss the 49ers win over the Giants on Thursday Night […]
-
9/21 - Thursday Night Football Preview; NFL MVP Talkby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:15 pm
Ian and John preview Thursday Night Football between the Giants and 49ers […]
-
9/19 - Monday Night Recap, State of Quarterback Play, 2-0 Teamsby Full Press Coverage on September 19, 2023 at 2:08 pm
Ian and John discuss MNF and talk about the state of quarterback play. […]
-
Ep 2: Top 5 Super Bowls Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:26 pm
Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti give their Top 5 Super Bowls of all time. […]
-
Ep 1: The Top 10 Quarterbacks Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 8:42 pm
On the first episode of 'According To Who?', host Ian Glendon and John […]
-
Patriots at Cowboys -Cardinals at 49ersby Broken Controller Media on September 28, 2023 at 4:00 pm
-
San Antonio Spurs Previewby Broken Controller Media on September 28, 2023 at 3:00 pm
-
Bengals at Titans - Raiders at Chargersby Broken Controller Media on September 28, 2023 at 3:00 pm
-
9/28 - Dame Traded, Zach Wilson And The Jets, Packers/Lions Previewby Full Press Coverage on September 28, 2023 at 2:07 pm
-
Damian Lillard Traded To Bucksby Full Press Coverage on September 28, 2023 at 2:02 pm
-
Episode 114: The Bears Are Who We Thought They Wereby Full Press Coverage on September 28, 2023 at 3:07 am
-
Full Press MMA - 9-27 - Dana White speaks to Adesanya’s drinking & driving caseby Full Press Coverage on September 27, 2023 at 4:00 pm
-
Broncos at Bears - Buccaneers at Saints - Ravens at Brownsby Broken Controller Media on September 27, 2023 at 4:00 pm
-
Falcons at Jaguars - Rams at Colts - Commanders at Eaglesby Broken Controller Media on September 27, 2023 at 2:50 pm
-
Boot 2 The Face "The Rock Says..."by Boot 2 The Face on September 24, 2023 at 3:12 pm
On this episode of B2TF we talk AEW, WWE, NXT, Becky Lynch, Jey Uso, Raw, […]
-
Boot 2 The Face "She Was Portly"by Boot 2 The Face on September 14, 2023 at 11:57 pm
In the latest episode we talk Jey Uso and his move to Monday Night Raw. We […]
-
Shock Waves in Pro Wrestling: A McMahon No Longer Owns WWEby Full Press Coverage on September 27, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again as he discusses the history made as Vince […]
-
Wrestling World is Changing: From CM Punk To Vince McMahon to LA Knightby Full Press Coverage on September 14, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Justin Starr as they break the […]
-
Ep 183: The Sandmanby Full Press Coverage on September 23, 2023 at 2:00 pm
This week we're diving back into the extreme and looking at the career of […]