Chiefs news: Chris Jones negotiations have started

The Kansas City Chiefs have started negotiations with Chris Jones.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Saturday morning on the network’s flagship show Sportscenter that the Kansas City Chiefs and All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones had “begun talking” now that the team has locked in franchise quarterback Patrick Mahomes on a 10 year extension.

"“I’m told the Chiefs and Jones have begun talking, which is a big victory because it’s been quiet for months on that front. They’ve really had no communication. They’ve at least started negotiating. The Chiefs got the Patrick Mahomes deal done. They’d like to move on to Jones, who is considered a top-three defensive tackle, but that’s going to cost them well over $20 million. It’s just unclear how far they’re willing to go at this point, but they want to keep one of their best players."

This is big news for Kansas City. After placing the franchise tag upon Jones in March, talks between the the lineman’s’ camp and the Chiefs organization have reportedly been stone cold. The All-Pro defensive tackle has not yet signed his franchise tag, which will guarantee him a $16.1 million in 2020. Instead, the Pro Bowler has held out for a long term contract extension which he hopes will pay him greater than $20 million per year. Jones, simply put, deserves every penny he can get.

On Monday, Kansas City announced a 10-year, $503 million contract extension with superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes. As a result, the team must be diligent in how it spends its’ money moving forward. The team has been clear since the beginning that its hope is to retain their best players, and Jones certainly falls in to that category.

Even still, a contract of Mahomes’ magnitude will force the team into difficult decisions in the near future, and that all starts with the all star defensive tackle.

Jones was a terror in the AFC Championship Game and Super Bowl for Kansas City, notching three passes defensed in the 31-20 defeat of the San Francisco 49ers alone.

General manager Brett Veach and the Chiefs have until July 15th to come to terms on a long-term extension—the given deadline imposed by the NFL—or else Jones must play the season on the franchise tag.