After an extended holdout that saw him miss the Kansas City Chiefs’ 2023 season opener, Chris Jones finally has a new contract. But it’s probably not what anyone from the outside looking in expected to see.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Jones has signed a one-year deal to return to the defending Super Bowl champions. While the exact terms of the contract are unknown at the time of this writing, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, it is heavily laden with performance incentives for Jones. That said, for a 29-year-old that was a Defensive Player of the Year finalist in 2022, the terms are a bit peculiar. If you’re Jones, why hold out and miss a meaningful game that actually counts in the standings if you’re just going to settle for a one-year deal?
The answer is simple. Because a one-year contract gives the 29-year-old Jones a legitimate opportunity to leave Kansas City in free agency next March barring improved progress in negotiations this offseason. At least, should he so choose:
Holdout over: The #Chiefs and DT Chris Jones have agreed to terms on a 1-year deal done by @KatzBrosSports. pic.twitter.com/w4pj888nJf
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 11, 2023
A lot can change fast in the NFL. Perhaps the Chiefs and Jones find a happier compromise in their negotiations come the winter and both parties find a way to bring Jones back on a longer term deal. But I wouldn’t bet on it. Jones is a veteran who will be 30 years old by next summer. Provided he stays healthy through 2023, his next NFL payday could be his last.
If the Chiefs weren’t willing to give Jones the term and money he wanted now, what’s going to change this offseason? It just doesn’t make sense to settle for a one-year contract only to turn around and still stay in Kansas City. (Of course, the Chiefs could also trade Jones at the deadline …)
The door is open for one of the best defenders of his generation to leave his first NFL team. We’ll see if Jones actually steps through.
This was how Twitter reacted to Jones' weird deal
he got more agents than years on his deal???????? https://t.co/V4ZfY9UbHp
— Joshua Brisco (@jbbrisco) September 11, 2023
I mean thank god, but what?… https://t.co/Np405Ez8aO
— Arrowhead Live (@ArrowheadLive) September 11, 2023
Did he really hold out just to settle for a 1-year deal? https://t.co/9k2p4UFgM9
— Kei (@RealMamaEagle) September 11, 2023
Hitting free agency next year? https://t.co/Jtg3tPxbqP pic.twitter.com/CKA0WuaJ0c
— (1-0) Rise Up Ridder (@RiseUpReader) September 11, 2023
The Lions really attacked the Chiefs in the middle Thursday. The Lions got Jones paid. https://t.co/JLxThgA8vE
— Mike Payton (@AtoZ_Payton) September 11, 2023
Chris Jones saw the Bears O Line try and block yesterday and told his agent “Let’s get this done I want to break the single game sack record in 2 weeks” https://t.co/Ll6h9id5uD
— Nick (@Nick_Surges) September 11, 2023
A question worth asking: what is going to change between now and the next offseason that helps the Chiefs sign Chris Jones to a new multi-year deal? https://t.co/uD1ak6nRCm
— Robert 'B̶l̶u̶e̶ ̶C̶h̶e̶c̶k̶m̶a̶r̶k̶' Rimpson (@Rimpsanity) September 11, 2023
So basically every star contract dispute ends in a 1 year deal now? https://t.co/LlDlU2tseL
— Nico (@elitetakes_) September 11, 2023
Wow. One-year deal is the middle ground in these negotiations https://t.co/VpNEerHMUZ
— Ron Kopp Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) September 11, 2023
All that drama for a 1 year deal and all those fines https://t.co/ic0ckYpzgb
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) September 11, 2023
Travis Kelce and Chris Jones back against the Jaguars https://t.co/nX7ogDHF9v pic.twitter.com/kPdP07f6M0
— Lorenzino Estrada (@KyLoRenzino) September 11, 2023
Ya he’s gone after this season. Nice to have him 1 more year though. https://t.co/9k2gFqD30X
— Tyler Fuller🤘🏼 (@full_of_it_81) September 11, 2023
