Chiefs don’t have to worry about Chris Jones being in training camp

Although his contract situation was clearly resolved this offseason, Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones is still not in the training camp mood.

Jones will likely be physically present when the Chiefs face Missouri Western State University from July 16-20, but his participation with the rest of the group remains unclear.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday during his youth football camp in Overland Park, Kansas, Jones stated the obvious, talking about how he has asked Chiefs head coach Andy Reid to avoid any further wear and tear on his body.

“Listen, man, I’ve already talked to Andy (Reid) about, ‘Let me skip training camp. I’m a little older, right?'” Jones said, according to Jesse Nowell of the Kansas City Star. “I can feel it. I can feel it when we have a day in training camp.”

When Jones wasn’t on the team last year, it made sense — he was hoping to get a new deal with Kansas City. But since that’s in the past, why shouldn’t he join the Chiefs at Missouri Western State University from July 16-20? And should the organization even care whether he does or not?

As the Chiefs prepare to win their third straight Super Bowl, Jones is preaching about resting and taking it easy on your body. No franchise in NFL history has ever done that, which underscores how physically demanding it must be. So it makes sense to take a break when you can. But what message does that send to the rest of the players in the locker room? Are they exempt from activity, too?

Given his status as defensive captain over the last two playoffs, it would be nice to see Jones active in training camp, but it’s not a sure thing if he’s not.

Jones enters the season at 30 and has earned Pro Bowl nods over the past five seasons. He’s a proven veteran who comes to work when he’s needed. He gets the job done when he’s needed, as evidenced by the Chiefs making him the highest-paid defensive lineman in football in March.

Members of the Chiefs Kingdom shouldn’t overestimate Jones’ lack of interest in training camp (if any). As long as he continues to wreak havoc in opposing backfields from September through February, what he does in July shouldn’t matter.

In 2023, Jones collected 30 total tackles (13 for loss), 10.5 sacks, and four pass deflections. His performances earned him a strong overall player grade from Pro Football Focus (84.1) and earned exceptionally high ratings as a pass rusher (90.1).