The Chiefs have always had a strong defensive tackle presence. However, this year they find themselves in an optimistic but uncertain position as their defensive tackle, Chris Jones, has been absent from the start of the Kansas City Chiefs‘ mandatory three-day minicamp and the team’s recent Super Bowl ring ceremony.

Chris Jones, an All-Pro defensive tackle who was drafted by the Chiefs in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft, has been seeking a contract extension this offseason. Initially, there were no updates regarding his potential return. However, now the team’s quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, and general manager, Brett Veach, have provided an update on his situation. In response to this update, two NFL analysts sat down to discuss Chris Jones’ current predicament.

Will Chris Jones return?

In a recent video on the NFL on NBC‘s YouTube channel, sports analysts Mike Florio and Myles Simmons delve into the importance of Chris Jones maximizing his earnings given his position, as opposed to someone like Patrick Mahomes. During the discussion, Simmons highlighted a similar situation involving Cincinnati Bengals tackle Orlando Brown from the previous year. Simmons recalled that Brown while playing as a left tackle, faced the franchise tag and didn’t even join the team until training camp had already begun.

Regarding Chris Jones, Simmons noted that although he is currently under contract, he is entering a contract year. The Chiefs recognize the significance of their defensive leader, who recorded an impressive 15.5 sacks last year, tying for the third-highest in the league. Simmons emphasized that the team values Jones and desires to reach an agreement with him. He stated, “It’s business right now, but they’re gonna get it done at some point.” According to Simmons, he doesn’t anticipate any major roadblocks preventing the team from securing a deal with someone who holds such significance to their defense and overall team dynamic.

What does Patrick Mahomes have to say about Jones?

The Chiefs had been anticipating Chris Jones’ arrival at training camp, whether it be on July 23 or at a later date. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, star quarterback Patrick Mahomes remains unfazed, expressing confidence that the situation will be resolved soon. Jones is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the upcoming season, and negotiations for a new deal have been ongoing between him and the franchise. Reflecting on Jones’ importance to the team, Mahomes stated, “It’s part of the business.”

He further added, “I think Chris knows that we love him here. He’s been a part of this team for a long time. He’s one of the main reasons that we’ve had the success that we’ve had. He’s been that leader on the defense. He’s made a lot of big plays, and it seems like in the biggest moments, and you want those guys in your team.” Head coach Andy Reid entrusted the contract negotiations to general manager Brett Veach and the front office while expressing confidence in their long-standing relationship with Jones.

Veach stated that their long-standing history and strong relationship with Chris have left them optimistic about the situation. Based on historical patterns, negotiations tend to find a resolution just before (training) camp, leading them to anticipate a similar outcome this time. They will closely monitor the progress and observe how it unfolds.

Read more: Chris Jones Pens Four-Year Contract Extension With Kansas City Chiefs

As Jones enters the final season of his substantial four-year, $80 million contract, he holds the distinction of being one of the league’s highest-paid defensive tackles, boasting an impressive average annual salary of $20 million. With this crucial stage of his contract underway, the future of his journey with the team on the field remains uncertain, and the timing of the decision will only become clear as time progresses.

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