The Kansas City Chiefs were without star defensive tackle Chris Jones during the team’s mandatory minicamp.
Jones is in the final year of his four-year contract signed back in July 2020. He’s due for a new deal after an incredibly productive year, resulting in a championship season for his team.
Chiefs HC Andy Reid spoke on Jones’ absence, saying that the decision was squarely on the veteran D-Lineman. He’s hopeful that Jones will return when the team reconvenes in St. Joseph, Missouri late next month.
“So, Chris (Jones) wasn’t here,” Reid said. “Kind of like last year, the same type of deal. That’s his choice. So, he chose not to be here. I’m sure he’ll be at training camp.”
Jones was actually in attendance for mandatory minicamp last year. What Reid was likely making reference to was the 2020 offseason, when Jones was on the franchise tag ahead of his current contract. Reid seems hopeful for a similar trajectory with a mid-July deal between Kansas City and Jones’ camp.
As for Patrick Mahomes, he’s not too concerned about Jones’ absence. He too is hopeful that Jones will return by training camp. No matter when he’s back with the team, Mahomes knows that the team’s defensive leader will be able to pick up right where he left off.
“I mean, it’s like you said, it’s part of the business,” Mahomes explained. “I think Chris (Jones) 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 (and) he’s made a lot of big plays in (what) seems like the biggest moments. And you want those guys on your team. It’s part of the business. It’s the offseason and even though you’re getting better, I’m sure Chris is working and he knows the defense that he needs to do and the hope is that everything is good by training camp and that we’re able to come in and just roll. That’s part of what makes this team so great, whenever guys like that have to go handle their business, we let them handle it. When they jump back in the building we get back right to where we left off.”
Jones’ next deal is expected to challenge Aaron Donald’s contract, making him one of the top-paid players at his position once again.
