Getty Image / Kyle Rivas
The Kansas City Chiefs have plenty to be excited about earlier on in the NFL’s pre-season.
They won the Super Bowl last season.
Patrick Mahomes is coming off of an MVP season.
They have a bunch of young talent at receiver that could potentially break out next season with Mahomes throwing them ball.
However, they have one big issue right now.
Chris Jones is holding out for a contract extension.
Today, Patrick Mahomes showed his support for Jones while speaking with the media.
#Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes on Chris Jones. pic.twitter.com/vUrHqjpooA
— Nick Jacobs (@Jacobs71) June 15, 2023
“It’s part of the business,” said Mahomes. “Chris knows that we love him here. He’s been a part of this team for a long time. He’s one of the main reasons that we’ve had the success that we’ve had; he’s been that leader on the defense. He’s made a lot of big plays in what seem like the biggest moments. And you want those guys on your team.”
He also added that one of the great things about the current Chiefs squad is that they understand that sometimes guys need to handle their business in the offseason.
“That’s just part of it — and that’s what makes this team so great: whenever guys like that have to go handle their business, we let them handle it. When they jump back in the building, we get back right where we left off.”
Chris Jones has been a huge part of the Kansas City Chiefs’ success in recent years. He has been named an All-Pro 4 of the last 5 years and has had 56.5 sacks over the course of those 5 seasons.
He also came up big during the team’s playoff run last season, getting a pair of sacks in the AFC title game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Jones is currently in the last year of a 4-year, $80 million deal and looking for an extension.
You definitely never want to start camp with a player like Jones holding out, but there’s still plenty of time for the Chiefs to make sure he’s around as they defend their title.