Chiefs Can't Afford to Bungle Chris Jones Contract Situation
By Sean Facey | Jun 11 2019
Contract talks between the Kansas City Chiefs and defensive lineman Chris Jones have reached an impasse.
The standout star is holding out for a contract and has chosen not to attend mandatory minicamp.
As relations between the two parties continue to sour, the Chiefs need to realize that the contract situation with Jones is something they simply cannot afford to mess up.
Just as we expected, the star defensive tackle of the #Chiefs has decided to forego mandatory minicao practices while his contract is being negotiated (via @Arrowheadphones): https://t.co/yQ6PBo98EW
— Arrowhead Pride (@ArrowheadPride) June 11, 2019
Jones, who is in the final year of his rookie contract, has been one of the most important players on defense for the Chiefs over the past few years. Since he was drafted in 2016, he's piled up 24 sacks, 15.5 of which came in 2018 alone.
He's a transcendent talent that most teams would kill to have, and if they don't lock him up soon, he's destined to leave or create unnecessary offseason drama. That would be an utter catastrophe for Kansas City's defense.
Simply put, the Chiefs just don't have the depth at the defensive tackle position to fill the gap Jones would leave. Outside of Frank Clark, their defensive line is incredibly suspect.
#Chiefs star DT Chris Jones, whose contract negotiations have stalled, is not present with the team today and not expected to be at minicamp, sources say. He’ll be subject to fines.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 11, 2019
Their defense, which generated an NFL-leading 52 sacks last year, would lose its most crucial player should he not return after 2019.
Jones' value to the Chiefs cannot be overstated. He's the heart and soul of their defensive attack.
Chris Jones continues his absence from Chiefs practices into the mandatory part https://t.co/c6FN3cuD1I
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) June 11, 2019
Messing up contract negotiations with Jones would be the Chiefs' biggest mistake considering they're trying to win a Super Bowl in the very near future.