Chiefs Have Opened Extension Talks With DT Chris Jones

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports that the Chiefs and DT Chris Jones have begun discussing an extension, which is notable considering how quiet things have been in recent months about a potential extension.

The Chiefs signed QB Patrick Mahomes to a record extension and Fowler says they would like to now turn their attention to Jones. However, getting him under contract long-term will likely cost them over $20 million per year.

At this point, Fowler says it remains unclear how far the Chiefs are willing to go to keep Jones in Kansas City long term.

A few weeks ago, Mike Garafolo of NFL Media reported that Jones “has always viewed himself” as a player worth $20 million per year, but Chiefs have never felt that he’s worth this kind of money.

According to Garafolo, Kansas City has never made Jones an offer in the neighborhood of $20 million per year and believe they can re-sign him at a lower number. 

Jones later responded by tweeting that he “won’t play” without a contract extension.

The problem for Jones in the scenario is that the Chiefs can use the franchise tag on him again in 2021. Although, it would cost the Chiefs even more to use the tag in back-to-back seasons. 

Jones is reportedly seeking a deal similar in value to teammate Frank Clark’s five-year, $105 million contract that included $63.5 million guaranteed. However, Kansas City was reportedly offering him closer to $42 million guaranteed over the first three years in a long-term deal.

The franchise tag will cost the Chiefs $16.1 million fully guaranteed for the 2020 season.

Jones, 25, is a former second-round pick of the Chiefs back in 2016. He just finished the final year of his four-year, $6.231 million contract and made a base salary of $1.19 million in the final year of the agreement.

In 2019, Jones appeared in 13 games for the Chiefs and recorded 36 tackles, nine sacks, one forced fumble, one recovery and four pass defenses.

We’ll have more regarding Jones as the news is available.