Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes told reporters on Wednesday that he has no hard feelings against Chris Jones, despite the All-Pro defensive tackle’s decision to hold out from training camp because of a bitter contract dispute.
Jones has one year left on the four-year, $80 million deal that he signed in the summer of 2020. In the ’22 campaign, he registered a career-high 15.5 sacks on the way to helping Kansas City win Super Bowl LVII against the Eagles in February.
Despite the current rift between Jones and the franchise, Mahomes, the two-time MVP and Super Bowl champion, is fully supporting his teammate.
“I know that stuff—contract stuff—is hard to talk about because everybody wants to make money for their entire family and everything like that,” Mahomes said. “It’s a hard time for all players, I think, whenever this stuff comes up—because you want to play, you want to be out there. He [Jones] has stuff that he’s trying to get done that he feels he needs to get done right now. So, I respect his decision. And whenever he gets back … we’ll welcome him with open arms.”
As Jones seeks to have a new contract before the Chiefs begin the ’23 season, coach Andy Reid said earlier Wednesday that the team has not been in “communication” with the four-time Pro Bowler, who has indicated that he could hold out until Week 8.
In addition to his career-high in sacks last season, the 29-year-old registered 17 tackles for loss and 29 quarterback hits. In the postseason, Jones added two more sacks, a half-dozen quarterbacks hits and three tackles for loss.
The Chiefs will open the ’23 campaign on Sept. 7 against the Lions.
