Tag: holdout

BREAKING: Zack Martin to end holdout, reaches new deal with Cowboys

From @ToddBrock24f7: The 8-time Pro Bowler and the club reportedly reached a deal that will pay him over $18 million, fully guaranteed, in both 2023 and 2024.

The Cowboys and right guard Zack Martin have agreed to terms on a reworked contract that will pay him $18 million-plus in 2023 and 2024, with both years full guaranteed.

The news was first reported Monday afternoon by ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter. Martin himself confirmed via social media that his holdout, which hit 21 days on Monday, is ending.

“Back to Work,” the former first-round draft pick posted.

Martin, 32, lost $1 million in fines by not reporting to Cowboys training camp in Oxnard, unhappy with a contract that was set to pay the eight-time Pro Bowler just $13.5 million this year and $14 million next year. Those figure ranked well below the salaries of several other guards around the league who are not nearly as decorated or dominant.

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Some of Martin’s teammates may have suspected that No. 70 would be reporting soon.

After Monday’s walkthrough practice. defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence was asked if he found it strange to be at camp without Martin, who was in his draft class of 2014.

“Yes and no,” Lawrence replied, per ESPN’s Todd Archer. “A lot of my training camps, I’ve been on the sideline, so I haven’t been able to be in action like I was this year. But I know what’s up, man. Zack’s going to be OK. The Cowboys [are] going to be OK. And I’ll see him soon.”

Real soon, it sounds like, much to the delight of Cowboys Nation.

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Chiefs DL Chris Jones channels famous poet in latest cryptic social media post

A holdout haiku: Chris Jones channeled a/Famous poet in latest/Cryptic Twitter post

Chris Jones hasn’t been shy about tweeting through his contract dispute with the Kansas City Chiefs and posted a famous quote attributed to 19th-century poet Ralph Waldo Emerson on Friday that left fans a bit puzzled.

The quote’s true origin is unclear, as there is no proof that Emerson ever wrote the words in the post, but even murkier is Jones’ intention behind broadcasting the dubiously sourced adage.

Perhaps this is an indication that he intends to continue his holdout until he sees a contract offer commensurate with what “lies within him”, or maybe Jones is signaling that the ongoing contract dispute is irrelevant given his self-perceived value.

Jones’ use of hourglass emojis adds another layer of uncertainty, as the concept of time (i.e. what lies behind and before) seems to be at odds with the point of the quote, which is more a commentary on introspection and self-actualization than anything.

Could it be that Jones is ready to return to the team despite the lingering uncertainty surrounding his future because he is self-actualized? Is he signaling that the offers he has received from the Chiefs are “tiny matters” compared to what “lies within” him? Did he just like the quote?

Poetry, like cryptic social media posts, is open to interpretation, and at this point, there’s no telling exactly what Jones meant with the tweet. What is certain, though, is that fans should expect more social media tomfoolery from the star defensive lineman in the days to come.

Here’s where Chiefs DT Chris Jones ranks on ‘NFL Top 100’ list

Take a look at where #Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones ranked on the “NFL Top 100” list for the 2023 season.

Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones ranked 10th on the “NFL Top 100” list for the 2023 season. The annual television program counts down the league’s top players, as voted on by their NFL peers, who put together their rankings of the 100 best players in the league.

Kansas City did not have a single player chosen for any of the first 90 spots but finally got on the board with Jones’ selection at the 10th position. Though he was the first Chief to make the list, a certain reigning MVP, Patrick Mahomes, is expected to be ranked in the top three, and we here at Chiefs Wire are guessing that he won’t rank second or third.

Jones’ selection is certainly warranted, but his ongoing holdout from Kansas City’s training camp puts something of a damper on the excitement surrounding his place in the rankings.

Chiefs fans still haven’t seen Jones work out in St. Joseph with his teammates, and until he gets back on the field, there isn’t much to say about his outlook for the 2023 season or what an honor like this might mean for him.

ESPN’s Dianna Russini gives deep dive on Chris Jones contract negotiations

ESPN’s Dianna Russini gave listeners an in-depth update on Chris Jones’ contract negotiations with the #Chiefs during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show. | from: @LazarczykLogan

ESPN reporter Dianna Russini made an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Thursday and gave a thorough update on Chris Jones’ contract negotiations with the Kansas City Chiefs.

“I had a conversation with someone this morning that’s involved in negotiations — they still feel really optimistic [that] they are going to get it done,” Russini said. “The number Chris Jones wants is — it’s a big number, it’s a big number.”

Although Jones’ asking price is steep, Russini made it clear that her sources within the Chiefs organization were optimistic that a deal will eventually get done.

“Every conversation I have had with [Chiefs sources] over the last few months has been nothing but – understanding his value, understanding his role on this team, we want to get this done, we feel good we are going to get this done, we are optimistic,” Russini continued. “That’s one of those where I think it feels a little icky right now, but I think it’s going to work out by the time we get to at least the third, fourth week of camp here.”

Kansas City had its ring ceremony in June, and many people inside the organization were confident that Jones would be present for the celebratory occasion. However, he wasn’t, and Russini said that his absence was a surprise for his coaches and teammates.

“Going back to the ring [ceremony] I attended with the Chiefs a few months ago, and talking to them, they were like, ‘We will get it done’, Andy [Reid] was like ‘Chris will show up’, and then he didn’t show up,” Russini explained. “That threw a wrench. They weren’t expecting him not to show up. That’s where it did get a little off track.”

Russini still feels that everyone involved wants to get a long-term deal done before the season starts.

“The sense I get, it will get done, Chris wants to be there, they want Chris there,” Russini said. “Look, could it go off track? Yeah, of course. We have seen it happen.”

Jones is under contract this season with a $28 million price tag, which is enough to make him the second-highest-paid player on Kansas City’s roster. With an extension, that price would come down a bit and open up some cap space. The Chiefs have the second-least cap space in the league with just $562,000.

The most important thing for both sides at this juncture, though, is that a contract extension is finalized before the season. Neither party will benefit if Jones misses time as Kansas City looks to defend its Super Bowl title.

‘Zero concerns’: McCarthy not worried about Cowboys RG Zack Martin’s readiness

From @ToddBrock24f7: The 8x-Pro Bowler’s absence is now in its 10th day, despite texting his linemates, “Y’all set the tone, I’ll be there soon.”

The Cowboys have been in Oxnard for just over a week. Thursday’s practice- the longest yet of this year’s training camp- was to be the team’s third session with pads and an important building block in the foundation that the team is trying to lay with a new offensive play-caller, several new members of the coaching staff, and new players up and down the roster.

But despite the cornerstone of the offensive line entering the 10th day of his contract holdout, head coach Mike McCarthy maintains he’s not worried about Zack Martin’s absence.

“I have zero concerns about Zack,” McCarthy told reporters during a press conference Thursday. “Everything that we’re doing here now, Zack already has. Zack will be just fine.”

The six-time first-team All-Pro has elected not to join the team in Oxnard as of yet, unhappy with where he sits on the pay scale relative to the other top offensive guards around the league.

The 32-year-old is staying busy and keeping himself in shape, though. A video shared recently on social media by OL Masterminds shows Martin working out with the organization’s Duke Manyweather in Texas.

And second-year lineman Tyler Smith revealed to media members that Martin is in regular contact with his linemates via text. His message to the group?

“Y’all set the tone, I’ll be there soon.”

Mike Solari, the veteran offensive line coach entering his first year in that role for the Cowboys would certainly prefer to have Martin in his usual spot, but he’s making the best of the situation by giving younger players valuable practice reps.

“We want Zack here, but it’s part of the business,” Solari said per the team website. “It gives another man an opportunity to get reps in practice and develop. They’re all competing and working hard. The best five will start, and they’ll define that role. It’s a good group.”

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Josh Ball, the 2021 fourth-round draft pick, and Matt Farniok, a seventh-rounder from that same rookie class, have seen time at right guard in place of Martin. And while their continued development at camp is a good thing, no one- especially quarterback Dak Prescott- wants either of them to have to line up on Sept. 10 when the Cowboys face the Giants to open the regular season.

Like McCarthy, Prescott should have no real concerns about Martin being ready for Week 1 whenever he and the front office settle their staring contest.

But No. 4 was succinct when he was asked about getting his most valuable protector back in the huddle.

“Pay the man.”

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Chiefs Patrick Mahomes on Chris Jones’ holdout: ‘Hopefully, we get him back in camp as soon as possible.’

Patrick Mahomes told reporters that he has stayed in touch with Chris Jones and hopes to get him back with the #Chiefs “as soon as possible” | from: @LazarczykLogan

The Kansas City Chiefs would not have two Super Bowl victories without Chris Jones’ presence and playmaking ability on the field. Though his contributions to the team have been vital to their success in recent years, Jones is currently in a contract dispute with the Chiefs and has not yet reported to training camp.

There is no timetable for when the negotiations will materialize into a new deal for the 29-year-old defensive tackle, who is still on Kansas City’s books through the 2023 season.

Despite that, quarterback Patrick Mahomes has stayed in touch with the star defensive lineman, and told reporters on Wednesday that he hopes that an agreement on an extension for Jones will be finalized before the regular season.

“I talk to Chris [Jones], not necessarily about contract stuff – that’s how I am about all things – I never talk about the contract,” the reigning MVP explained. “I just talk about football and how he is doing. He is working out, he is staying in shape. All that [contract negotiations] will handle itself, and all I can do is be supportive, be a [good] teammate. That’s one of the guys [who has] been a staple of this organization for a long time. Hopefully, we get him back in camp as soon as possible.”

Coming off a season where he collected 15.5 sacks and 37 tackles, Jones is seeking a contract that will make him the second-highest-paid player in the NFL at his position. It has been reported by The Athletic’s Nate Taylor, that the four-time pro bowler is seeking $30 million per season.

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Chris Jones fine tracker: Star DL faces steep penalties for training camp holdout

Chris Jones has accrued fines of at least $400,000 if not more as he patiently waits for a breakthrough in negotiations with the #Chiefs.

Chris Jones is a force of nature on the Kansas City Chiefs defensive line. His presence makes the team’s front-four one of the NFL’s best, and Jones knows his worth as his holdout from Chiefs training camp bleeds into its second week.

Players face steep penalties for holdouts like the one Jones is currently undertaking. He faces fines of $50,000 per day that he misses Kansas City’s practice sessions in St. Joseph, Missouri, and at that rate, will need to foot a bill of well over $400,000 for his absences to this point.

That total accounts for $50,000 for each day missed since veterans reported to camp on Saturday, July 22, and assumes that he had until 11:59 p.m. to show up at Missouri Western State University’s campus before the first fine went into effect.

It also assumes that Jones is not facing penalties for the days that the team has not practiced, which were Thursday, July 27, and Tuesday, August 1. If Jones is being fined for non-practice days, the total cost of his holdout through today (Tuesday, August 1) would be an even $500,000 for 10 days missed.

Though this figure is sure to be eye-watering for those who don’t have that kind of money just lying around, it would constitute just under 2% of his total cap number for the 2023 season, which is $28,291,668, according to the quants at overthecap.com.

Needless to say, Jones can continue holding out for as long as he wants, though the effectiveness of his negotiation strategy with Brett Veach has certainly left his fans wanting as his holdout looms over the Chiefs’ training camp process.

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Taco Tuesday: 49ers sign former Saints defensive end

Taco Tuesday: San Francisco 49ers sign former New Orleans Saints defensive end Taco Charlton

One former New Orleans Saints player landed a new gig this week, with defensive end Taco Charlton signing onto the San Francisco 49ers’ training camp roster. His arrival coincides with a holdout by 49ers star pass rusher Nick Bosa, bringing the 49ers some added pass-rush potential as they prepare for their preseason games.

Charlton spent last summer with the Saints and initially started the regular season on their practice squad, but he was poached by the Chicago Bears in November. He joined the Jacksonville Jaguars in time for their January playoff run but had to wait through the first week of training camp practices before finding his next opportunity.

Originally a first-round pick by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2017 NFL draft, Charlton has appeared in 60 games on seven different teams in his six-year career, including stints on practice squads around the league. The former Michigan Wolverine has totaled 11.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss in his pro career.

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Chris Jones posts cryptic tweets as holdout continues

Star defensive lineman Chris Jones seems to be at a standstill in negotiations with the #Chiefs as training camp moves into its second week.

Chris Jones’ status will be a top storyline to monitor as the Kansas City Chiefs move into their second week of training camp in St. Joseph, Missouri. The team has been hard at work preparing for the season but is without its top defender as Jones, who is in the final year of his contract, seeks an extension.

Jones is the second-highest-paid player on the Chiefs behind quarterback Patrick Mahomes and is rumored to be asking for $30 million or more per year in his next deal.

The star defensive lineman posted some cryptic tweets over the weekend, but it is unclear whether they had anything to do with his holdout.

The veracity of information out there regarding Jones’ specific demands isn’t clear, but it is a fact that the star defensive lineman has held out from training camp to give himself leverage in negotiations with general manager Brett Veach.

For now, it seems all Kansas City fans can do is wait for a resolution and hope that one of the players who reported to St. Joseph can step up to fill his shoes should the stalemate last through August and into the regular season.

Chiefs LB Willie Gay: Despite Chris Jones absence, defense is ‘rolling’ in training camp

#Chiefs linebacker Willie Gay told reporters on Friday that Kansas City’s defense is “rolling” in St. Joseph despite Chris Jones’ absence.

Chris Jones’ contract situation has remained one of the biggest storylines during the early phases of the Kansas City Chiefs’ 2023 training camp.

The 29-year-old defensive tackle is entering the final year of his contract and is seeking an extension that will make him at least the second-highest-paid player at his position.

It was reported by Nate Taylor of The Athletic earlier this week that Kansas City is “at a stalemate” in their negotiations with Jones, who is said to be asking for $30 million per season. If that is the case and Jones is, in fact, seeking that much money, the All-Pro pass rusher’s holdout could persist for the foreseeable future.

Jones is overwhelmingly likely to play in 2023, but the question remains if he will do so on a new contract or not.

Despite Jones’ absence from training camp, linebacker Willie Gay told reporters on Friday that he feels the Chiefs’ defense is in a good spot as they prepare for the coming season at Missouri Western State University.

“We’ve been rolling,” Gay explained of the defense’s progression. “We all know [that] Chris Jones [has not been here], but we’ve been rolling. With him, of course, we will be a great defense. But, while we are here and while things are the way they are, we are going to ball out.”

If and when Jones reports to training camp, Gay expects that the veteran defensive tackle will make a major impact. However, while Jones is still gone, Kansas City’s defensive players are maintaining focus on their individual roles and responsibilities within coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s system.

“[Jones will] add a big piece, a big piece that we hope to have,” Gay continued later in his comments to the media. “I mean, we can’t be out here thinking – dang, I wish Chris [Jones] was here – but we just have to handle things the way they are and roll with it.”

Jones’ contract situation with the Chiefs will continue to be a major talking point until he arrives at the team’s training camp in St. Joseph. But, until the negotiations are concluded, the Chiefs’ defensive personnel will have to operate without their superstar teammate on the field.

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