After an extended holdout that saw him miss the Kansas City Chiefs’ 2023 season opener, Chris Jones finally has a new contract. But it’s probably not what anyone from the outside looking in expected to see.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Jones has signed a one-year deal to return to the defending Super Bowl champions. While the exact terms of the contract are unknown at the time of this writing, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, it is heavily laden with performance incentives for Jones. That said, for a 29-year-old that was a Defensive Player of the Year finalist in 2022, the terms are a bit peculiar. If you’re Jones, why hold out and miss a meaningful game that actually counts in the standings if you’re just going to settle for a one-year deal?
The answer is simple. Because a one-year contract gives the 29-year-old Jones a legitimate opportunity to leave Kansas City in free agency next March barring improved progress in negotiations this offseason. At least, should he so choose:
Holdout over: The #Chiefs and DT Chris Jones have agreed to terms on a 1-year deal done by @KatzBrosSports. pic.twitter.com/w4pj888nJf
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 11, 2023
A lot can change fast in the NFL. Perhaps the Chiefs and Jones find a happier compromise in their negotiations come the winter and both parties find a way to bring Jones back on a longer term deal. But I wouldn’t bet on it. Jones is a veteran who will be 30 years old by next summer. Provided he stays healthy through 2023, his next NFL payday could be his last.
If the Chiefs weren’t willing to give Jones the term and money he wanted now, what’s going to change this offseason? It just doesn’t make sense to settle for a one-year contract only to turn around and still stay in Kansas City. (Of course, the Chiefs could also trade Jones at the deadline …)
The door is open for one of the best defenders of his generation to leave his first NFL team. We’ll see if Jones actually steps through.