Getty Image / David Eulitt
NFL running backs aren’t the only ones struggling to get the contracts they want right now.
One of last season’s top pass rushers is also trying to get himself a contract extension as he heads into the final year of his current deal.
Star Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones is approaching the end of a 4 year, $80 million contract and is trying to secure a new deal before this one expires.
Jones and the Chiefs haven’t been able to reach an agreement on a new deal yet and Jones skipped the team’s mandatory minicamp last month.
It looks like that holdout may not be ending soon.
According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, Jones didn’t report to training camp today with the rest of the team.
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
He added that the two sides are still far apart on terms for a new deal.
Jones was a key piece of the Chiefs’ defense on the way to last season’s Super Bowl win and has been named an All-Pro in 4 of the last 5 seasons. Last year, he even finished 3rd in the Defensive Player of the Year voting.
The team has publicly expressed confidence that they’ll be able to get a deal done with Jones before the season begins.
Still, the start of the season is getting pretty close and “far apart” doesn’t make it sound like a deal is imminent.
For now, Chris Jones will be subject to $50K in fines for every day of camp that he misses.
Maybe he’ll be able to reach a new deal with the Kansas City Chiefs before he racks up too many of those fines.