With the premier NFL offseason events, such as free agency and the draft, already behind us, the news cycle leading up to the commencement of training camp for the Kansas City Chiefs might not be as eventful. However, even though the flow of news might be relatively quiet, it doesn't mean that there won't be any updates at all.
Despite the team's widespread recognition as the best in football, there is always room for improvement in order to strengthen their chances of securing another Super Bowl championship.
As we delve further into the summer, what moves should the Kansas City Chiefs make to remain favorites in the AFC?
Extend Chris Jones
It would be highly beneficial for the Chiefs to prioritize extending their future Hall of Fame defensive tackle, as it presents a clear opportunity for improvement. Currently, according to Over The Cap, Jones is projected to carry a cap hit of approximately $28.3 million in 2023, the 8th highest in the NFL, including the fifth-highest among non-quarterbacks.
By signing Jones before the season begins, Kansas City could generate around $10 million or even more in cap space for the current season. Presently, the team has only around $1 million in cap space (the exact amount varies depending on the source), so extending Jones would enable them to enhance the talent on this year's roster without losing any significant players.
Moreover, retaining Chris Jones for the foreseeable future is crucial for Kansas City's best interests, given his standing as one of the premier pass rushers in today's NFL. If he were to join another team in 2024, their pass-rushing capabilities, particularly from the interior, would suffer a significant blow. Even if he were to re-sign with the Chiefs after the season, the opportunity cost of not extending him earlier could impede their chances of repeating as Super Bowl champions.