One of the Chiefs’ main catalysts en route to their Super Bowl 57 victory was undoubtedly Chris Jones.
In 2022, the 28-year-old bulldozer in the middle of Kansas City’s defensive front was a First-Team All-Pro and a Defensive Player of the Year Award finalist. While Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce took all the headlines on offense, Jones destroying guards and tackles stole the show on defense.
As the 28-year-old Jones enters the final two years of his contract, talks of a massive extension have already been bubbling at the surface. With how important Jones has been to Kansas City’s success over the last half-decade, it would probably be in both sides’ interest to come to a mutually beneficial agreement.
There’s just one tiny problem for Jones.
His public love for the Chiefs in a tweet about his long-term future could potentially ruin his own bargaining position. To be fair to Jones, judging by his general approach to pro football: he might not consider it a problem.
I'm a chief for life. I will not play for another franchise
— Chris Jones (@StoneColdJones) March 12, 2023
On the one hand, it’s great for the Chiefs that it seems like they’ll have one of the NFL’s best interior pass rushers playing for them for the foreseeable future. On the other hand, Jones would make so much money on the open market if he ever (unrealistically) hit the open market.
But if I think about it, I’m confident Jones understands the Chiefs would likely take care of him in extension talks. Only a player of his superstar stature would tweet something so adoring of a squad he wants a new monster deal from.
It’s not a guarantee, but it seems like the Chiefs will maintain their Cerberus core of Mahomes-Kelce-Jones for a good while longer.