Chris Jones, the star defensive lineman of the Kansas City Chiefs, has been holding out of training camp, and with just one day to go before they begin their 2023 regular season, the concern about him is starting to cascade.
He reportedly is looking for a new contract that will pay him handsomely, and he gave a curious explanation as to why he has been holding out, per Aaron Ladd.
#Chiefs Chris Jones: “I could’ve done a hold-in but that would’ve been a distraction…” pic.twitter.com/TIBWsbVs4D
— Aaron Ladd (@aaronladdtv) September 6, 2023
In Kansas City, Jones may be overshadowed by Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, as well as, until last season, the departed Tyreek Hill, but he has been very important to the team’s two Super Bowl championships over the last four seasons.
During that time, he has played both defensive tackle and defensive end while being named to the Pro Bowl each year.
Last year, he earned his first All-Pro First-Team selection by putting up 15.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, and 29 quarterback hits.
With the insane amount of talent and depth throughout the AFC, the Chiefs sorely need Jones if they are to have any chance of repeating as world champs.
Even if he misses one regular season game, the consequences could be palpable.
Kansas City begins the regular season on Thursday versus the Detroit Lions, an upstart team that is the favorite to finish first in the NFC North, and the following week they will visit the Jacksonville Jaguars, another team that is quickly on the rise.
In Week 4, the Chiefs will be on the road again to play Aaron Rodgers and the new-look New York Jets.
It would greatly help them if Jones ends his holdout and makes himself available for all three of these contests.
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