Andy Reid gives an update on DT Chris Jones’ contract negotiations

The Kansas City Chiefs have been without defensive tackle Chris Jones this offseason due to an ongoing contract dispute. He’s kept himself in the public eye with recent videos on his social media training with former NFL veteran defensive end Chuck Smith.

As all of Chiefs Kingdom anxiously awaits the star pass rusher’s return, head coach Andy Reid provided an update to reporters from training camp.

“So Chris Jones would be the other topic of interest,” Reid said. “With Chris we’ll know more. Our people have talked with Chris’ people, and there has been communication there. So we’ll just see whether he’s here or not here. We obviously want him here, and I think he probably wants to be here too. But we’ll see how all of that works out.”

“Chris’ people” is a reference to his agents Jason and Michael Katz, as the source of his holdout stems from their client’s breakout 2018 season. Jones is entering a contract year and last season led the team with 15.5 sacks, garnering a desire for a new deal. Reid hasn’t been too pleased with Jones’ absence going back to OTA’s this past May, and he continues that same sentiment during this recent training camp update. When asked if it is a big deal if Jones wasn’t there at the onset of camp, Reid emphasized the new defensive changes.

“I’ve said this before. If you miss days, you miss days,” Reid explained. “This is a unique situation where we’ve had to change the defense and so on. It’s probably beneficial to be here.”

Jones plays a critical role in the new 4-3 defense because of his versatility along the defensive line. Reid has expressed the value of having him in camp to work on the new schemes before the start of the season. The two sides continue to negotiate over extension numbers that will potentially get Jones back on the field before training camp begins.

The Chiefs Kingdom will once again have to wait for more updates on this situation with bated breath. Jones will need to report to training camp by August 6, in order to accrue a full NFL season in 2019. Chiefs training camp ends Thursday, August 15.