BREAKING: Kansas City Chiefs Decide To Pay Chris Jones Big Time 1 Month Before Free Agency Deadline
The Kansas City Chiefs made a big move Friday afternoon in the bid to keep star defensive tackle Chris Jones on the team for the 2024 season. The five-time All-Pro pass rusher has been a major part of the Chiefs’ three Super Bowl dynasty.
Questions surrounded Jones’ future with the Chiefs before the 2023 season and during Super Bowl week. Jones held out before the start of the season because he wanted a contract closer to Los Angeles Rams star Aaron Donald. He agreed to a one-year contract after the Chiefs Week 1 loss to the Detroit Lions
Following the Super Bowl, Jones expressed his desire to go back to Kansas City and complete a three-peat. Additionally, he demands money, and the Chiefs’ 2024 salary cap only has so much of it available.
According to Oer The Cap, the Chiefs have until Friday to spend $15 million before the 2024 season. Much of that money is required for free agency, emergency funding for the upcoming season, and signing draft picks.
The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the Chiefs decided to exercise Jones’ contract option. It will be up to them whether to franchise tag him. Incentives he earned totaling $4.25 million were also paid to him by the Chiefs.
The Chiefs will try to work out a long-term deal before free agency, but the two sides are far from a deal. The Chiefs now have the option to keep him in Kansas City with the franchise tag. They could use it, but that’s a risky move to use on a player who was willing to miss part of the regular season in 2023.
But Jones can’t afford to sit out a whole season. He’ll be 30 next season. While the franchise tag would cost the Chiefs quite a bit, it’s still cheaper than Donald’s contract and would be only for one year.
