Kansas City Chiefs and Pro Bowl defensive tackle Chris Jones could go their separate ways after the 2020 NFL season. The two sides have been negotiating a long-term deal for the majority of the offseason but, according to NFL Network’s James Palmer, haven’t been making any significant progress.
Jones’ rookie deal expired back in March, but the Chiefs decided to use a franchise tag in order to keep him for 2020. The organization also wants to make him part of their long-term future, but those attempts haven’t been fruitful.
Jones and Chiefs still have until July 15th to make a deal and avoid the franchise tag coming into the effect. If that doesn’t happen, the 25-year-old would then play on a $16.1 million deal in 2020 and would be set for free agency next year.
Multiple reports indicate that the main issue in the talks is Chris Jones’ high demands. He reportedly wants more than $21 million in annual salary, which would place him among the highest-paid defensive players in the league. For cash-strapped Chiefs, this isn’t a number they are even remotely comfortable with.
The Chiefs, who were among the teams with least cap space available this offseason, already have a defensive player with a $21+ million salary in defensive end Frank Clark. They also have to work out a long-term deal for quarterback Patrick Mahomes, with his contract set to be the biggest in league history. Most of their money will be tied in these deals and having Jones for the money he asks simply doesn’t look possible.
The only solution would be for Jones to come down a bit, but that doesn’t look likely at the moment, so expect Chiefs to be on the market for a new DT pretty soon.
Jones has one Pro Bowl appearance and one Second-Team All-Pro selection since entering the league in 2016. His NFL career stats include 136 tackles, 33.0 sacks, 20 pass deflections, two interceptions, and one defensive touchdown.
