The Chiefs’ efforts to get a new deal worked out with Chris Jones appear to have yielded progress. An extension for the All-Pro defensive tackle may be on the horizon. 
During a Tuesday SportsCenter appearance, ESPN’s Jeff Darlington reported that Kansas City remains optimistic with respect to finalizing a Chiefs extension (h/t Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk). Jones’ current contract has one year remaining on it, with a scheduled cap hit of $28.3MM. Working out another multi-year pact has been on the Chiefs’ radar since before the new league year began in March.
The 29-year-old skipped out on the Chiefs’ minicamp with contract talks ongoing. Jones’ intention is to place himself second in the pecking order at the D-tackle spot, behind only Aaron Donald‘s $31.6MM AAV. Accomplishing that feat would require leapfrogging a number of interior defenders who have landed massive extensions of their own in recent months. Chiefs GM Brett Veach has struck an optimistic tone regarding the chances of a Jones agreement being worked out at some point this summer.
More specifically, training camp has been named as a logical deadline for negotiations to produce an agreement. Darlington’s report, to no surprise, states that a deal prior to the beginning of camp is “likely.” Kansas City would be well-suited to get a Jones deal on the books not only to ensure cost certainty for future seasons, but also because of the immediate cap benefits it would yield.
Lowering Jones’ cap number would free up spending power for the remainder of the offseason; the Chiefs currently sit at the bottom of the league in available funds with just over $400K. Generating cap space could put Kansas City back into contention for free agent wideout DeAndre Hopkins, who is reportedly waiting on the Jones deal to be finalized before seeing how serious of a push the Chiefs could make to sign him. Clarity on the latter point could emerge soon if a Jones extension is indeed close to the finish line.
The Jets and Quinnen Williams are watching this closely, because Q is going to want to match it. His camp knows it can’t get Aaron Donald’s deal but is certain he can get the same as Chris Jones.
Agreed plus he’s 4 years younger so they may want more arguing the jets are getting more prime years.
Douglas should have had a greater emphasis to Qs deal done before Jones.
Hopkins isn’t needed in kc they have toney and mvs and he’s going to throw a temper tantrum if he gets outplayed by both and gets his snaps reduced because of it
Bro I love the Chiefs but MVS is not a guy I look at that does anything special for this team. MVS’ stats with KC last year: 42 receptions on 81 targets 687 yards 2 TD.
Travis Kelce is the only player catching passes that is elite on this squad. Toney is cool, he can be used in a lot of different situations, but has not yet shown he is an elite WR talent that can be consistently depended on. Andy Reid and Mahomes make these mediocre WR’s look a lot better than they actually are. Sky Moore? Not great his rookie year. I really like the additions of Richie James and Rashee Rice. Reid and Mahomes will make these guys household names after 1 season.
If the Chiefs can get D-Hop to join I think it would help this offense down the stretch. Andy Reid is super creative, he can scheme these guys open all day, but D-Hop can just get open. When it comes to 50/50 balls D-Hop makes it more like a 90/10 ball. Will he be a Chief next year? I do not know, but the Chiefs are going back to the Super Bowl regardless.