3 problems KC Chiefs are already dealing with in training camp
By Matt Conner
To say there are problems already creeping in for the Kansas City Chiefs is an honest statement that some fans might not want to hear. Sorry, but it's true. Every team has issues and concerns and training camp is an ideal time to sort a lot of those things out.
However, what is also true is that every NFL team has significant issues. That's how parity works and winning on a sustained basis is hard to do in the National Football League for good reason. So to say the Chiefs have problems is, at least, a way to say they're one of 32 franchises in the same boat.
No one in Chiefs Kingdom is panicking about anything knowing they are the defending champs and have Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Andy Reid back for another run. But here are some emerging problems to keep an eye on for now.
The rift with Chris Jones
Coming into the month of July without a long-term extension for defensive tackle Chris Jones was the first wave of concern, but anyone who wanted to make a big deal of it would have been laughed out of the room for overstating the issue.
Coming into the later part of July without a deal for Jones was a second wave of concern, knowing that it was going to create some drama without having the team's best defensive player at the start of training camp.
Coming into the month of August without Jones in St. Joseph is now providing a third wave of concern with the realization that his presence is truly being felt by players, coaches, and fans alike.
The Chiefs and Jones are at an impasse of what to do when it comes to a new lucrative extension—likely somewhere between Quinnen Williams money ($24 million per season) and Aaron Donald money ($31 million per season). The problem is that they didn't work this out ahead of time and now there's some actual bad blood between two sides that desperately need the other.
Some fans are mad at Jones for not taking less money like Patrick Mahomes or Travis Kelce. Others want to see the Chiefs finally pony up and pay someone, especally when that someone is the defensive MVP and anchor of the team's pass rush (more on that in a moment). Both sides need to eat some crow and get Jones into camp before it negatively affects his play heading into Week 1.