Chris Jones watches Patrick Mahomes struggle at Arrowhead as he enjoys the Chiefs game ‘as a fan’ amid his holdout due to contract dispute

The Chiefs were aware that Jones would be coming to watch the game.

Chris Jones watches Patrick Mahomes struggle at Arrowhead as he enjoys the Chiefs game ‘as a fan’ amid his holdout due to contract dispute

Chris Jones spotted at Arrowhead watching the Chiefs vs the Lions (Image via X)

Chris Jones may be holding out for a bigger contract, but that didn’t stop him from missing the Kansas City Chiefs’ opening-day match against the Detroit Lions. The defensive tackle was seen enjoying prime-time football from the stands.

Jones has been at a stalemate with the Chiefs about a contract extension. According to him, he only wants to get paid what he deserves. For that very reason, the 29-year-old has remained absent from training camps and the entire preseason.

Head coach Andy Reid revealed that the front office is dealing with Jones’ situation and is focusing on the next guy. In a recent interview, the veteran coach expressed a tinge of disappointment, saying that anyone else would have come at least to practice if they were in Jones’ shoes.

Nevertheless, the Pro Bowl defender continued to be a no-show until the NFL season kicked off. Chris Jones was spotted watching his favorite Kansas City Chiefs get beaten by the Detroit Lions 20-21 at Arrowhead earlier today. As per NFL correspondent James Palmer, the Chiefs were aware that Jones would be in attendance.

Beside him were two gentlemen wearing black tuxedos, whom some are speculating to be his agents. Now that Joe Burrow has signed a massive deal, will the NFL see another mega contract announcement? It’s possible that might happen.

Related: Skip Bayless predicts Lamar Jackson’s Ravens will win the Super Bowl this season by defeating the Cowboys

How much does Chris Jones want to earn?

Chris Jones watches Patrick Mahomes struggle at Arrowhead as he enjoys the Chiefs game ‘as a fan’ amid his holdout due to contract dispute
Jones was present during the Kansas City Chiefs opener against the Detroit Lions (Image via IMAGO)

James Palmer also reported a new key detail. Previously, Andy Reid claimed that negotiations were ongoing between the Chiefs and Chris Jones. However, the Ole Miss graduate revealed that there hadn’t been any contact for the last ‘week and a half’.

Jones, who is looking to hold out until week 8, is looking for a significant boost in his contract. For that reason, he has several fines on his name, which add up to about $8 million in lost game checks from his $19.5 million base salary.

If he does get a new deal in the near future, then he would be similar to what Aaron Donald takes home or even to what the best-paid defender, Nick Bosa, gets. He does deserve a raise in his salary if one takes Jones’ last-year performance into consideration. In 2022, he tied a career-high with 15.5 sacks last season, plus 44 combined tackles and two forced fumbles, en route to lifting the Super Bowl title. The Chiefs do need his services now that Travis Kelce is missing.

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