Chiefs' Chris Jones 'super pleased' with new deal after lengthy holdout
Chris Jones is happy to be back with the Kansas City Chiefs - even though his post-holdout deal didn't make him one of the NFL's highest-paid defenders.
"I'm super pleased with how it turned out," the All-Pro defensive lineman said Wednesday, according to ESPN's Adam Teicher. "I'm back in the building. I'm excited to be back, thankful for the organization. They (were) able to boost my salary up to make up for the fines and everything. I'm super grateful for that."
Jones wasn't with the team while negotiating a new deal and didn't play in Week 1 due to his contract situation. The 29-year-old reportedly wanted a contract worth $30 million annually but ended his holdout ahead of Week agreeing to an incentive-laden one-year pact that includes a base salary of $19.5 million. His average annual salary ranks eighth among defensive tackles, according to Spotrac.
He can also earn up to $25 million with incentives, and the Chiefs can still use the franchise tag to retain him next year.
"I think you as reporters and fans kind of misconstrue the contract thing," Jones said, per Teicher. "It is never personal. I don't think I started hating coach (Andy) Reid or I started disliking (general manager Brett) Veach. I love Veach. He knows I love him. We had on and off conversation throughout it all. ... I don't think our relationship was affected any (by) that. They know how much I love this organization."
Jones, a cornerstone of the Chiefs' Super Bowl-winning run last season, watched Kansas City's 21-20 loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 1 from a suite at Arrowhead Stadium.
"It all felt crazy. It was a different viewpoint. I was biting my nails the whole game," Jones said, according to Nate Taylor of The Athletic.
Jones is coming off a career year in which he racked up 44 tackles, 29 QB hits, and 15.5 sacks in 17 games. The Mississippi State product, who's helped Kansas City win two Super Bowl titles, has racked up 65 sacks in 107 appearances since being drafted in the second round in 2016.
In a press conference, the four-time Pro Bowler said he's focused on the current season. He and the Chiefs will begin to negotiate a new deal in 2024. In the meantime, he's expected to make his 2023 debut in Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
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