Update: #Chiefs DT Chris Jones accrued $1.8 million in fines so far during his holdout, via @AlbertBreer
Those fines cannot be waived by the team because he's no longer on a rookie contract.https://t.co/VruBZgYcw8 pic.twitter.com/lEMpOEDXRJ
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 28, 2023
If this was any other team this holdout would be dominating the discussion. It seems like no one is really taking this seriously when they are talking about the Chiefs. People have talked about Stefon Diggs. People have talked about running backs sitting out. People are talking about Nick Bosa. Yet, the Chris Jones coverage doesn’t paint that same picture.
ESPN wrote a nice article discussing what the pass rush will look like with Jones.
The Chiefs finished second in the NFL last season with 55 sacks. Against the Lions, they will be missing the players who accounted for 31 of those, counting Jones and his 15.5 sacks if he doesn’t play.
The Chiefs were planning on Omenihu before the suspension to make up for some of what they lost. In camp, he was playing end on early downs and tackle in passing situations.
“He’s a really good pass-rusher inside,” defensive line coach Joe Cullen said. “He can play all four spots. He plays with a high motor, high energy. So we’re losing a good player.”
Without Jones, their top returning pass-rushers are George Karlaftis with six and Mike Danna with five.
There are giant question marks for this Chiefs defense without Chris Jones. This isn’t an argument for them paying him, it is simply an argument that there should be more concern by the media covering the Chiefs.
