The contract negotiations between the Kansas City Chiefs front office and defensive tackle Chris Jones have been a challenging process, resulting in a holdout that has lasted 35 days and counting.
When asked if he’d heard from the four-time pro bowler on Wednesday, head coach Andy Reid told reporters that he hadn’t heard from him in a bit.
“There has been no communication, so I don’t know [when Jones will return],” Reid said. “Whatever happens, happens. [The] game goes on, right? That’s how it works.”
So far, Jones has missed all of training camp and two preseason games. He likely won’t suit up on Saturday when Kansas City hosts the Cleveland Browns at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, and he’s even hinted that he would be absent for the first seven games of the regular season.
Whenever he does return to the team (if that day ever comes), quarterback Patrick Mahomes says the Chiefs locker room will be there with open arms.
“I know that contract stuff’s hard to talk about because everybody wants to make money for their entire family and everything like that,” Mahomes told reporters Tuesday. “But, I know how much Chris [Jones] loves the Chiefs. He loves being part of this organization. So I want to stay out of it and tell Chris that I love him. And that whenever he does come back, it’ll be welcomed with open arms. And we know that he’s preparing himself so that, whenever he gets back, he can be the dominant player he always has been.”
With negotiations clearly at a standstill, one of two scenarios are probably playing out. Either the Chiefs have stopped contract talks because Jones’ price tag is too high. OR, both sides are waiting to see who blinks first. But much like everyone outside the organization, Mahomes shed some insight that everyone inside is just as shocked that Jones’ holdout has gone this long.
“Yeah, I don’t think anyone expected him not to be here. But that’s part of the contract negotiation stuff,” said Mahomes. “So I mean, I’m not looking down on him or anything like that. He has stuff that he’s trying to get done right now. And so I respect his decision,” he explained. “And then whenever he gets back, like I said, we (welcome) him with open arms. He’s a vital part of this organization. And so I’m glad that he’s on my team.”
Kansas City is two weeks from their season/home opener, which kicks off the 2023 NFL regular season when they host the Detroit Lions. Jones was a vital part of the team’s success a year ago, recording 15.5 sacks. The Chiefs need their star interior d-lineman for the start of this year, it’ll be a huge blow if they’re forced to play without him.
