The Chiefs are playing the Lions in Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season, and defensive lineman Chris Jones is in attendance for the contest.
Jones is mired in a contract dispute with the Chiefs and is hoping to sign a lucrative extension. The hope was that the team would be able to do so before the season started, but the two sides have continued to be in a stalemate ahead of the 2023 season kickoff.
Even so, Jones' reported attendance of the game could be viewed as a sign that the relationship between the two parties is still amicable. At the very least, he appears to be invested in the team and is just asking for that same type of investment back.
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Of course, his presence at the stadium will bring up questions about whether he is going to suit up against the Lions as well. Here's what to know about his status for Week 1 and beyond.
Is Chris Jones playing vs. Lions?
Chris Jones is not playing in the Chiefs vs. Lions contest on Thursday night. The veteran defensive lineman is embroiled in a contract dispute with the Kansas City brass and has been holding out as a result.
There is no definitive timetable for Jones' return, though the 29-year-old did seem to indicate on social media that he could remain out until Week 8 if not given a new deal.
And what would a new deal need to entail? NFL Network's Ian Rapoport has reported that Jones wants to get "as close to Aaron Donald" as possible with a contract extension. Donald makes $31.7 million per season; that was good for the highest average annual value (AAV) among defensive players until Nick Bosa received a deal worth $34 million in AAV before the season.
So, this stand-off between Jones and the Chiefs could last a while if Kansas City is unwilling — or unable — to capitulate to his demands.
Even so, Jones has maintained a decent relationship with the organization during his time away from it.
"I've been keeping in contact with my teammates," Jones said. "I'm still working out every day, still doing similar things that they do in training camp. The camaraderie, we got a lot of new players, there's that aspect of it. But I'll be ready to go when that times calls."
And those relationships are part of why Jones was able to attend the Chiefs' season opener on Thursday.
MORE: Explaining Chris Jones' holdout and his "Week 8" comment
Why is Chris Jones at Chiefs vs. Lions?
NFL Network's James Palmer reported that Jones was expected to watch the Chiefs vs. Lions game from a suite at Arrowhead Stadium. He arrived at the stadium about 30 minutes before the game started, per Nate Taylor of The Athletic.
But why is he there? Well, it seems like Jones wanted to be there as a part of Kansas City's banner-raising ceremony to honor the team's Super Bowl 57 title. Palmer reported that the Chiefs were "not opposed to allowing Jones to be there and see the Super Bowl banner drop."
There's a pretty good chance Chris Jones will be at Arrowhead tonight in a suite to watch the #chiefs open up the season against the #Lions. If he's there it wouldn't be a surprise to the Chiefs either and they are not opposed to allowing Jones to be there and see the Super Bowl…
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) September 7, 2023
That likely played a part in Jones' presence, but he also may have wanted to support his teammates as they try to beat a solid Lions team without him. The Chiefs may have been amenable to that proposal as a gesture of goodwill as the two sides continue their ongoing contract talks.
But that is just speculative. We won't know exactly why Jones was at Arrowhead Stadium until either he or the Chiefs address the rather unconventional arrangement.
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Chris Jones contract
Jones is in the final year of a four-year, $80 million deal he signed with the Chiefs in 2020. The deal contained within it $60 million in guarantees and made him one of the NFL's highest-paid defensive players at the time.
However, NFL contracts have continued to rise in recent seasons, and now, the five highest-paid defenders in the NFL are all making at least $25 million in AAV. Considering that Jones has totaled 32 sacks and been named to an All-Pro first team in the three seasons since signing that contract, it's fair that he would ask for a raise.
It will be interesting to see how long Jones' holdout lasts. The Chiefs certainly want to keep the 29-year-old, as he is the team's best defensive player and had 15.5 sacks last season. But because they are paying Patrick Mahomes $45 million in AAV and have just $11.4 million in cap space, per OverTheCap.com, it may be hard for them to give Jones the type of deal that he is seeking.
Meanwhile, Jones may be content sitting out now, but as ESPN's Adam Schefter reports, Jones is surrendering $1.1 million of his salary for missing the team's Week 1 game against the Lions. He will continue to forfeit that amount as long as his holdout continues.
