Chiefs approach Chris Jones extension with wise caution

The Kansas City Chiefs desire a long-term deal done with Chris Jones, but as the Rolling Stones remind us, a team can’t always get what it wants.

The value of Chris Jones is not lost on anybody these days at Arrowhead Stadium. Every player, staff member, coach, and executive for the Kansas City Chiefs is well-versed in the game-wrecking ability of the defensive tackle, and each Sunday played only serves as another reminder of how great he is—and how much he’s worth.

This is why the subject of a long-term contract extension for Jones has been circulating around K.C. for quite some time. It’s no secret at all between player and team, which is why Jones has spoken so openly and publicly about wanting to finish his career in Kansas City. It’s also why general manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid have reciprocated, saying they want him locked up long term.

Despite the well-wishes, however, the truth is that there’s still nothing officially set. No deals have been signed. No amounts have been agreed upon. There are two sides, remaining at odds with each other, and until those come to some sort of deal, Jones will remain a free-agent-to-be after the coming season.

And no one should assume anything about how things will turn out.

Remember, for nearly two years, the Chiefs and Orlando Brown Jr. did the same dance. Veach stated publicly that he wanted him in, and Brown spoke highly of wanting to protect Patrick Mahomes’ blindside for the rest of his career. In fact, the Chiefs even traded for Brown knowing he wanted a long-term deal. Throughout that time, a contract was desired and demanded but ultimately nothing happened and Brown was allowed to walk.

The same can be said for Tyreek Hill. The idea of trading away the most gifted wide receiver in franchise history was never on the table until the hours before he was actually traded. The Chiefs wanted him to retire with the team. Hill was ready to be a Chief for life. Only until the wide receiver market changed overnight to outrageous levels did the Chiefs have to completely reverse course or handcuff themselves financially for years to come.

In both instances, all the right things were said by both sides. In both instances, no contract agreement was reached.

All of this is not to say that Jones will walk or be traded down the road. The Chiefs can clearly sign players to an extension when the terms are right. Patrick Mahomes is signed into the 2030s. Travis Kelce, Harrison Butker, Frank Clark, Jawaan Taylor, and Joe Thuney will attest to the Chiefs’ willingness to hand over the mega-deal. But it’s also true that some deals fall apart for reasons that are beyond the desires of the persons involved.

Even this week at his media session following the 2023 NFL Draft, Veach spoke highly with team reporters about a contract for Jones. He sounded confident and hopeful. But then he also included this line: “Well, until you get a deal done, I don’t know in this league if you’re ever confident with anything.”

Everyone in K.C. knows what Jones is worth. They’re also ready to pay him. But that’s not been enough in the past to get something done, and Brett Veach knows it’s not a guarantee this time around either.