No NFL team has won back-to-back championships since the 2004 season. Parity is one major reason, but the biggest reason might be the simple fact that elite teams can’t afford to pay all of their stars.
The Chiefs overcame that obstacle in 2022, winning a Super Bowl after trading Tyreek Hill, but their quest to go back-to-back has a brand new obstacle: Chris Jones’ contract, or lack thereof.
Jones has spent the summer away from the Chiefs, holding out in hopes of a new contract. On Tuesday, he indicated that holdout could last through Week 8 of the regular season when one fan asked when he planned to show up.
Week 8
— Chris Jones (@StoneColdJones) August 22, 2023
When another fan pointed out that Jones would cost himself money by holding out, he responded, “I can afford it.”
I can afford it
— Chris Jones (@StoneColdJones) August 22, 2023
The holdout has already cost Jones more than $1 million, as he’s been fined $50,000 for each day he hasn’t reported to training camp and the absences haven’t been excused.
MORE: Inside Chris Jones’ history of contract disputes
Jones has been active on social media over the summer, leaving no doubt that he wants a new contract, and Tuesday’s comments are the latest indication that this might not be the type of holdout that ends harmlessly before the start of the season.
Jones has anchored two championship defenses for Kansas City, and he’s seeking a new deal in the “ballpark” of Aaron Donald’s whopping $31.7 million per year.
The star defensive tackle signed an extension for $20 million annually in 2020, months after he won his first Super Bowl with the Chiefs. While that was a huge deal at the time, he’s since slipped to eighth among all defensive tackles in terms of average annual salary.
A Chiefs defense that had a difficult time containing the Eagles’ dynamic offense in Super Bowl 57 would be missing a huge piece if Jones did hold out into the regular season, but so far neither side has blinked.
Chiefs schedule 2023
If Jones did sit out until Week 8, he would leave the Chiefs’ defense with a hole against the strong offenses of the Lions, Jaguars, Jets, Vikings, and Chargers.
Kansas City doesn’t face the Bills, Bengals, or Eagles until after a Week 10 bye, but acclimating Jones midseason won’t make those assignments easy.
MORE: Fantasy football cheat sheet ahead of 2023 NFL season
Here’s a complete look at the Chiefs’ 2023 schedule.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Kickoff time (ET) | TV |
| 1 | Sept. 7 | vs. Lions | 8:20 p.m. | NBC |
| 2 | Sept. 17 | at Jaguars | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 3 | Sept. 24 | vs. Bears | 4:25 p.m. | Fox |
| 4 | Oct. 1 | at Jets | 8:15 p.m. | NBC |
| 5 | Oct. 8 | at Vikings | 4:25 p.m. | CBS |
| 6 | Oct. 12 | vs. Broncos | 8:15 p.m. | Amazon Prime |
| 7 | Oct. 22 | vs. Chargers | 4:25 p.m. | CBS |
| 8 | Oct. 29 | at Broncos | 4:25 p.m. | CBS |
| 9 | Nov. 5 | Dolphins | 9:30 a.m. | NFLN |
| 10 | BYE | |||
| 11 | Nov. 20 | vs. Eagles | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN/ABC |
| 12 | Nov. 26 | at Raiders | 4:25 p.m. | CBS |
| 13 | Dec. 3 | at Packers | 8:20 p.m. | NBC |
| 14 | Dec. 10 | vs. Bills | 4:25 p.m. | CBS |
| 15 | Dec. 18 | at Patriots | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN |
| 16 | Dec. 25 | vs. Raiders | 1 p.m. | CBS, Nickelodeon |
| 17 | Dec. 31 | vs. Bengals | 4:25 p.m. | CBS |
| 18 | Jan 6/7 | at Chargers | TBD | TBD |