Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star reports that there been no movement from either the Chiefs or DL Chris Jones in contract discussions up to this point.
Mellinger explains that the situation is complicated by several factors.
Clark was drafted the same year as DE Frank Clark, who agreed to a big-money extension with the Chiefs after he was traded by the Seahawks. Typically, teams prioritize new contracts for their own players, but Kansas City felt they needed to address their pass rusher depth with the Clark trade.
Jones could bet on himself and look to produce another big season before testing the open market in 2020. At that point, his asking price could be even higher.
According to Mellinger, Chiefs want to give Jones an extension based on three years of possible club control that would total about $42 million. This deal would likely include between $45 million and $50 million in guarantees that could come in the form of a bonus.
If the situation gets to the point where there’s no deal and Jones is headed towards free agency, the Chiefs could still use their franchise tag on him and possibly consider trading him if they’re in a tough cap situation.
Because he’s still under contract, Jones has to report to the team by August 6 to receive an accrued season toward free agency.
Jones, 24, is a former second-round pick of the Chiefs back in 2016. He’s currently in the third year of his four-year, $6.231 million contract and set to make base salaries of $916,476 and $1.19 million over the final two years of the agreement.
In 2018, Jones appeared in all 16 games for the Chiefs and recorded 40 tackles, 15.5 sacks, an interception returned for a touchdown, two forced fumbles and five pass defenses.
We’ll have more on Jones and the Chiefs as the news is available.
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