Here’s what Chris Jones’ position coach had to say about Chiefs star’s contract talks
Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen deals with who’s practicing. He’s been encouraged by the progress of rookie end Felix Anudike-Uzomah and the consistency of tackle Danny Shelton.
But there’s no avoiding discussing the player foremost on the minds of Chiefs followers: Chris Jones — and his camp holdout.
One of the NFL’s top defensive tackles — the league’s No. 10-rated player overall by vote of current players — Jones likely will miss all of the training camp session at Missouri Western, which wraps up on Thursday. Cullen doesn’t know when Jones will return but is looking forward to that day.
“I’d say this, Chris, in my opinion, was as good as, if not the best, ... defensive player in the league last year,” Cullen said. “I do stay in touch with Chris. ... Chris is working hard. We’ll welcome him with open arms when he gets back here.”
What do they discuss?
“I talk to him about him staying in shape,” Cullen said. “Eventually this thing will get done and he’ll be back here at practice and leading us.”
Jones, 29, a seven-year veteran, is believed to be looking for a contract extension similar or exceeding that of the position’s highest paid player, Aaron Donald of the Rams. Donald signed a three-year, $95 million contract last season. He was listed one spot behind Jones in the players’ vote.
The Chiefs will go at least two preseason games without Jones. Their second game is Saturday at the Arizona Cardinals. The Chiefs finish the preseason on Aug. 26 against the Cleveland Browns, and the regular-season opener is Sept. 7, a Thursday Night Football game, against the Detroit Lions.