Celebrated ESPN Analyst Nearly Calls Patrick Mahomes’ ‘Sacrificial Lamb’ for Endorsing $450M Kansas City Chiefs Contract

Kansas City Chiefs Patrick Mahomes solidified his status as a Super Bowl champion by clinching his second title last season, defeating the Philadelphia Eagles led by Jalen Hurts. Even with this, there is a renowned analyst who seemingly hesitated to grant him the pinnacle of sports accolades. But as NFL Analyst Shannon Sharpe firmly stands in Chris Jones’ corner, “Undisputed” fans witnessed a shocking moment.

During his debut on First Take, Sharpe engaged in a spirited debate with the renowned ESPN analyst Smith as they deliberated Mahomes’ significance to Kansas City. Fans speculate if, out of the two legends’ views, their take on # QB1’s ‘sacrificial lamb’ status is true.

Is Mahomes truly a ‘Sacrificial Lamb’?

The City Chiefs need more time to resolve contract negotiations with Chris Jones, their star defensive tackle, before the season opener against the Detroit Lions on Thursday. Despite the uncertainty around Jones, the team’s players are focused on their preparations. And they have left the contract matter to the front office. Even their star QB1, Patrick Mahomes, emphasized the importance of concentrating on winning with the current roster. A First Take debate between Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe discusses whether the Kansas City Chiefs should be on “upset alert” without Chris Jones. However, #QB1 and Coach Reid are prepared to fight.

As Smith downed in a heated conversation with Sharpe, calling him a bit rusty, he overall indicated that Patrick Mahomes is the Chiefs’ ‘sacrificial lamb.’ After all, he took a pay cut on his contract to bring in team members like Kelce and even Chris Jones. He said, “They can’t afford to let this thing drag out. You’re going to have to pay him, right? Patrick Mahomes took that bargain contract just so you can have guys like Travis Kelce and Chris Jones. And you can pay those guys, pay Chris Jones’s money, he said I don’t know what he’s asking…Shannon here’s what you’re missing because you’ve been; you’re a little rusty, okay… yes, opposite alert, you’re wrong, my brother, and here’s why. First of all, we’re talking about the dude in Patrick Mahomes. It’s 5-0 when season openers with 18 touchdowns and zero interceptions.” 

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He even counters Shannon’s point that “the Chiefs should be on alert and find a way to retain Jones” by highlighting the Chiefs’ historical success in season openers. He highlights their offensive firepower thanks to Andy Reid and the belief in his Chiefs despite Jones’ absence. However, fans speculate where the team stands without their star defensive tackle.

Chris Jones and The Holdout

Kansas City Chiefs DT Chris Jones remains in a contract holdout. And he will increasingly likely miss the season opener against the Detroit Lions. While Coach Andy Reid didn’t definitively confirm Jones’ absence, he emphasized the team’s focus on moving forward without him. The Chiefs’ quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, acknowledged the situation but emphasized the need to prepare with the available roster.

Jones has been fined approximately $2 million for missing mandatory events. Additionally, potential additional losses for each regular-season game he misses are also included in these fines. Reid expressed confidence in communicating with the general manager and Jones’ agents but didn’t delve into recent interactions. Mahomes, known for his team-oriented mindset, wanted teammates to prioritize winning championships over individual contracts. Despite distractions and absences, Reid believes the players know the sport’s business side and are ready to perform.

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