Chiefs Rumors: 'Optimism' Chris Jones, Team Will Agree Contract Ahead of 2024 NFL FA

The Kansas City Chiefs and defensive tackle Chris Jones remain in negotiations over a new contract, according to The Athletic's Dianna Russini.

"While Jones could hit free agency, there is optimism the Chiefs will retain him," Russini reported. "The Super Bowl champs are locked in on locking up their best player not named Patrick Mahomes."

Before Kansas City's second straight Super Bowl title, it looked like the team was in danger of losing its second most valuable player behind Mahomes.

Jones is a free agent and Spotrac values him at $28.4 million annually. The two-time All-Pro is poised to become the second-highest-paid interior defender behind the Los Angeles Rams' Aaron Donald and could plausibly join Donald in the $30 million club.

Not unlike how they traded wide receiver Tyreek Hill when he started angling for a market-level extension, the Chiefs might feel priced out of a long-term pact with Jones. And they applied the franchise tag to cornerback L'Jarius Sneed, so that option is off the table.

However, Jones made it explicitly clear during the team's Super Bowl parade he wants to take part in a three-peat bid:

Those comments were probably music to the ears of head coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach.

Once the championship high wore off, Jones and his representatives probably assessed the situation a little more dispassionately, though. As much as he'd prefer to stay in Kansas City, the 29-year-old's value will probably never be higher than it is now. There's little reason not to at least see what other teams are prepared to offer.

Chiefs fans will be heartened for now the team appears to have a strong line of communication open with Jones.