Chris Jones Does Not Want To Compete With Aaron Donald In Terms Of Salary
When he signed a new three-year agreement worth $95 million after the 2021 season, Aaron Donald helped establish the market for defensive linemen in the whole NFL. With T.J. Watt coming in second at $28 million annually, he earns by far the most compensation of any defensive player at $31.7 million. Well, is Chris Jones looking to achieve that salary cap?
Chris Jones Does Not Want To Compete With Aaron Donald In Terms Of Salary
Chris Jones is following in the footsteps of Rams defensive tackle Donald from a few years back, who refused to sign a contract extension for back-to-back seasons and even missed the first two games of the 2018 season before the Rams finally gave in. If Jones and the Chiefs are unable to reach a long-term agreement, Jones has vowed to sit out the first eight games of this season.
𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭: #Chiefs offered star DT Chris Jones to replace the $19.5 million he's due to earn in 2023 with $74 million over the next three years, per Mike Florio.
According to the report, of that amount, $70 million would be guaranteed for injury, with a lower amount fully… https://t.co/TVtHuDa5xP pic.twitter.com/B3fFNjfVRw
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 2, 2023
We put on our investigative journalism hats in reaction to a story that said Jones is trying to outbid Aaron Donald’s contract ($31.67 million annually), that the Chiefs are being fair while Jones isn’t, and that the Chiefs are the ones being greedy.
The Chiefs have proposed to replace the $19.5 million Jones is expected to make in 2023 with $74 million over the following three years, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. Of that sum, $70 million would be completely guaranteed and the remaining amount would be guaranteed for injury.
Travis Kelce’s message to Chris Jones (via: @newheightshow) #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/TLsFA77tTy
— shelby (@shelby_l_s) September 1, 2023
This amounts to an annual average of $24.67 million, which is $7 million less than the Donald agreement. We are informed that Jones is not attempting to obtain Donald’s phone number. He would really divide the difference.
The midpoint between the team’s offer and the Donald deal is $28.17 million.
Eagles' Jason Kelce on Chris Jones' holdout in Kansas City: "Don't let them do this to you, Chris. … You cannot take this injustice. You must stay (away) through at least the Eagles game, and then you can come back."https://t.co/puQ85eP3Hq pic.twitter.com/uRPvVmsd5b
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) September 1, 2023
Donald recently stated that he doesn’t want any of the credit for the significant contract extensions signed by defensive tackles this offseason, such as Dexter Lawrence, Jeffery Simmons, and Quinnen Williams, who all received at least $21 million annually on their new contracts. But there’s no denying Donald’s precedent-setting deal has had an effect in Jones’ circumstances.
The Chiefs don’t want to lose their greatest defensive player this season for an extended period of time, but Jones clearly appears committed to this deal, much as Donald did a few years ago.
As #Chiefs Chris Jones continues his holdout, a look at his impact on KC's defense:
With Chris Jones on the field:
1st In the NFL QB Pressure %Without Chris Jones on the field:
28th In the NFL QB Pressure %* Over the past 5 seasons, via ESPN. pic.twitter.com/NpqKUrpDYV
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 1, 2023
The Chiefs have been attempting to keep Jones close by. Jones has raised his goals. Jones’ goals have been validated by the Donald transaction, but Jones is not aiming to compete with or surpass Donald.
The time keeps running throughout everything. The transaction must be completed by Thursday night when the Chiefs play the Lions, though there is no particular limit. Jones is more likely to be prepared when the regular season starts if anything is done quickly.
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