On Wednesday afternoon, Kansas City Chiefs General Manager, Brett Veach spoke to reporters. The day before he finalized the 53-man roster and made a trade with a division rival. Today, he grabbed a 2023 third-day draft pick off waivers, and as a bonus, gave reporters an update on contract talks with holdout, Chris Jones.
It was a busy day at Arrowhead for General Manager, Brett Veach. In speaking to reporters in the afternoon, he talked about the addition of former Indianapolis Colts, Cornerback, Darius Rush. The former fifth-round 2023 draftee, was claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Chiefs who somehow fell all the way to the last waiver claim slot. Still, most reporters wanted an update regarding the contract stalemate with Jones.
“We have been in communication, and actually just the last few days, we’ve been in more communication. We’re going to continue to press on and work hard,” Veach stated. He further stated, “(There is) a lot of respect on both sides of this thing. It’s been obviously well stated how we feel about Chris (Jones), and he feels the same way. Again, we’re just going to keep working on this thing, and we’re looking forward to next Thursday and hopefully, he’s in the lineup and he’s ready to go.”
Reading between the lines, it sounds like both sides want a deal. In fact, as pessimistic as I’ve been surrounding the talks, it’s highly unlikely Veach would have given a potentially positive assessment without a hint as to the direction of the outcome for both parties.
If the Chiefs and Chris Jones can strike a deal before Thursday, he could technically play in the season opener against the Detroit Lions in a week. The NFL generally requires a seven-day waiting period for a player who fails to report the week of a game.
If the recent upswing in talks is a precursor to a new deal, that would signal a big relief by the Chiefs, and Jones, who has stated to Veach that he wants to remain with the organization for the long term. It feels like that feeling is mutual, so it could just be a matter of time before they put ink to paper.
Further, on a potentially related note, Kansas City did release second-string Nose Tackle, Matt Dickinson who was ahead of Neil Farrell, who Kansas City traded for on Tuesday, on the depth chart. That move became necessary when KC added Darius Rush to the 53-man roster. The fact it’s the Nose Tackle position indicates perhaps another move is coming.
The Chiefs have a very daunting schedule this season with the singular goal to become back-to-back Super Champions. Jones is a key part of that chase, and I would think striking the iron while it’s hot, and there is big money on the table, it makes a lot of sense to end his holdout.
So, in the end, I think Jones realized that a bigger payday next season, when he crosses over the 30-year-old barrier, might not be as lucrative as the Chiefs most recent offer. Now we don’t know if the Chiefs will give Jones the Aaron Donald money he’s seeking, it’s a good sign, talks have heated up the last 48 hours.
For Chiefs fans, they want this saga to end. I’m sure Jones does too, or else I doubt, he’d be back at the negotiating table.
Stay tuned to Chiefs Blitz for the latest on Chris Jones.
