NFL Rumors: Kansas City Chiefs and Superstar "Far Apart" on Contract

The acrimony between the Kansas City Chiefs and one of their very best players has hit a new level. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, four-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Chris Jones did not report to training camp on Saturday because he and the front office remain "far apart" on a lucrative new extension.

Chiefs’ All-Pro DT Chris Jones, who has been seeking a new deal this off-season, did not report with the rest of the team to training camp today, per source. The two sides remain “far apart” on a new deal for the Defensive Players of the Year finalist. pic.twitter.com/7doEzdxZcO
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 22, 2023

Jones made his desire for a massive new extension known earlier this offseason. The Chiefs expressed a willingness to make a deal in June, but the two parties have been unable to find common ground so far.

The highest-paid interior defensive lineman (and non-quarterback) in the league is Los Angeles Rams superstar Aaron Donald, who is currently playing on a three-year, $95 million contract. Jones is about to enter the final year of a four-year, $80 million deal and will likely expect a deal just behind Donald's singular extension.

Donald is a generational player and a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, but Jones has a very real claim to being the second-best player at their position. He led all interior defensive linemen last year with his 92.0 overall Pro Football Focus grade and earned a first-team All-Pro while tallying 15.5 sacks. He also added 2.0 sacks and nine total tackles in the Chiefs' postseason run.

Jones has been one of the Chiefs' most valuable players over a four-year stretch that has included three Super Bowl appearances and two wins. If the Chiefs can't work out a new deal, they may be forced to find another team that can. The Chiefs went all the way to the Super Bowl last year after trading away six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Tyreek Hill in the offseason; maybe they can swing a similar miracle by getting a meaningful return on Jones.