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Chris Jones, Chiefs Reportedly Don't Have 'Much Traction' on New Contract
May 28, 2020
Chris Jones and the Kansas City Chiefs reportedly aren't close to an agreement on an extension for the defensive tackle.
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Jones continues to participate in virtual offseason activities with the team, but there has not been "much traction" on a long-term deal following the team placing the franchise tag on him.
Kansas City has until July 15 to agree to terms with Jones in order to avoid him playing on the tag in 2020.
Jones has been a valuable member of the Chiefs over the last two years.
In 2018, the Mississippi State product posted 40 total tackles, 15.5 sacks and one interception. During the team's Super Bowl run last year, he recorded 36 tackles and nine sacks.
Spotrac pegs Jones' market value at $19.2 million per year and believes he should rank among the top three highest-paid players at his position, alongside DeMarcus Lawrence and Frank Clark. Jones would earn $15.36 million should he remain on the franchise tag for 2020.
Kansas City general manager Brett Veach last gave an update on the negotiations with Jones' camp ahead of April's NFL draft, per USA Today's Ed Easton Jr.:
"Certainly, it's a unique environment we're working with, and we were able to navigate the free agency period and retain some guys. We're going to work through the draft and we're going to continue dialogue, but we know how talented Chris is, I think the franchise tag speaks for it.
"We also have a lot of time. I think the deadline to get a deal done is July 15. So, there's a lot of time to continue the dialogue and to work on something with Chris, but we certainly are going to work to retain him, not just for next year, but for the future."
Jones is not the only star player in need of a deal. Veach continues to work with Patrick Mahomes' team to make sure the 2018 MVP and 2019 Super Bowl champ remains in Kansas City for years to come.
Those conversations reportedly began only recently.