Kansas City Chiefs star Chris Jones, who is eligible for free agency this offseason, told fans Wednesday he’s staying in KC, a vow his agent immediately commented on in jest.
The All-Pro defensive tackle, one of the NFL’s most dominant defensive players, stepped up to the mic during the team’s Super Bowl victory celebration and worked the crowd into a frenzy.
“I need three of those (Super Bowl) rings, baby!” Jones shouted. “We ain’t done yet! Kansas City, we will be back here next year. And for those who want Chris Jones gone, I ain’t going nowhere, baby! Woo! I wanna be here this year, next year and the year after.”
"I AIN'T GOING NOWHERE, BABY!" – @StoneColdJones pic.twitter.com/qtU3Jmgq84
— NFL (@NFL) February 14, 2024
Jones’ vow to stay with the Chiefs is quite a promise and huge news. It caught his agent, Michael J. Katz, by surprise.
“Cut them off bartenders,” Katz posted on X/Twitter with several LOL emojis. He finished with a beer mug emoji.
Chris Jones’ agent has stepped in 😂 https://t.co/k2tqWagGKX pic.twitter.com/LDhyoMT3Rc
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 14, 2024
Jones’ return to Kansas City is far from a done deal. He held out the first game of the 2023 lesson before signing a one-year deal with the team. He played for $19.5 million in 2023, and is expected to sign a multi-year deal with an average annual value of almost $30 million.
Whether the Chiefs are willing — or able — to meet his demands remains to be seen.
Wednesday’s celebration certainly wasn’t a time for Jones to discuss those contract negotiations, and his big promise came off like one of those sappy moments at the end of a sports movie, where the hero greets his fans after the big game and promises they’ll be together forever.
Hard to fault Jones for expressing his love for the Chiefs and their fans. But at some point, the hard reality of negotiations takes control.
[NFL]
