4 lingering questions about Chris Jones's return to the Chiefs

Will there be any locker room fallout?

We hope this is a simple and straightforward answer, but the question has to be asked.

For the last several months, each and every one of Chris Jones's teammates have been where they were supposed to be. They've studied film and practiced drills. They endured Reid's conditioning test and lived together for a month in the dorms of Missouri Western State University. They've formed bonds and watched the roster as constructed slowly take shape as tough decisions were made.

This past week, that same group of teammates who have forged a new identity together heading into the 2023 season also lost together in a shocking season-opener to the Detroit Lions. And it's safe to wonder whether some of those teammates knew those results would have been different if Jones had chosen to be there.

Again, perhaps this is a moot point. Perhaps all players are united on this front and know that Jones is trying to do what everyone tries to do at the NFL level: get paid. Everyone who has stepped up to a mic has said the right things about what they think of Jones, and the entire organization has been clear that they look forward to welcoming him back with open arms. But common sense says there might be some resentment. It's just one more question worth asking.