Analyst Sheds Light On Chris Jones’ Contract Demands

The Kansas City Chiefs may be the defending Super Bowl champions coming into the 2023 NFL season, but Andy Reid and company aren’t without some significant problems to start the season.

Along with dealing with a knee injury that superstar tight end Travis Kelce suffered this week, which could result in some time missed, the Chiefs have been struggling to see eye-to-eye with star defensive tackle Chris Jones on a new contract.

After a career year in 2022, Jones wants to get paid as one of the elite defensive tackles in the game, which he is.

Unfortunately, the contract talks haven’t gone well, and the two sides are still seemingly far apart on a deal only days before the season starts for the Chiefs, with Kansas City set to host the Detroit Lions on Thursday.

According to NFL insider Mike Lombardi, who recently made an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Jones wants to get paid more than Los Angeles Rams superstar Aaron Donald.

“I think Chris Jones wants a number that’s above Aaron Donald..

He was one of the best defensive players in the league last year and I don’t think people understand how important he is to the Chiefs”@mlombardiNFL #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/cGMWEK1iZ5

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 5, 2023

As Lombardi points out, Jones is extremely crucial to the Chiefs defense and how well they play, and without him, Kansas City could be in trouble moving forward if they fully intend to be a title contender in 2023.

Clearly, Jones is not the kind of player that can be easily replaced, and that might be painfully obvious when they start the season against a talented Lions offense with a potentially elite offensive line protecting quarterback Jared Goff.

It’ll be interesting to see how the next two days play out and whether Jones will be ready to suit up for Thursday’s game or if this could go on for weeks.

NEXT: 
Insider Offers Update On Travis Kelce’s Potential Return Date