Optimism remains that the Kansas City Chiefs will be able to sign star DT Chris Jones to a long-term contract extension. With the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine in the books, insiders have heard whispers about the plans for No. 95. Those plans still echo what we’ve known all along — both sides are motivated to get a deal done.

ESPN’s Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler recently shared what they know about Jones’ situation in an article on free agency, trade, and draft buzz from the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

Will Chris Jones escape Kansas City? Most around the league do not expect it, but they also don’t expect the talented free agent defensive tackle to take a discount. The feeling is if Kansas City can reach the range of $27 million to $28 million per year, that should help close the deal. But the Chiefs have work to do. Jones could probably surpass those numbers if he hits the market. As one AFC scout told me, he is the blue-chip player of the entire free agent class, age be damned (he turns 30 this summer). The Chiefs made clear from the combine they will do everything possible. But remember that Kansas City typically doesn’t pay premium salaries to its own defensive players. It did it for Jones four years ago, but the list isn’t long.

The Chiefs previously offered Jones a two-year, fully guaranteed extension worth $54.5 million ahead of the 2023 NFL season according to The Athletic’s Nate Taylor and Dianna Russini. That offer was declined and a reworked one-year deal was put in place. That’s the right range mentioned by Graziano and Fowler, so one would expect Kansas City would have to fall on the higher end this time. Either that or they’d have to make some sort of consolation on the length of the contract or guaranteed salary.

What is being said ahead of the franchise tag deadline?
The Chiefs have until Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. ET to officially apply the franchise tag on either Chris Jones or L’Jarius Sneed. It was reported early last week that K.C. had applied the tag to Sneed, but that transaction hasn’t yet been made official on the daily NFL personnel notice.

The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reports the plan is still to franchise tag Sneed as they work toward an extension for No. 95. Sneed’s tag is expected to be official on Monday, March 4.

While the Kansas City Chiefs continue to work towards a Chris Jones extension, the franchise tag will officially be placed on cornerback L’Jarius Sneed tomorrow, per sources.

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) March 3, 2024

What’s the timeline for an extension happening for Jones, though? MMQB’s Albert Breer added what we can describe as an educated guess on Monday morning:

I’d guess—and this is just a guess—the Chiefs get something done with Chris Jones within a week. Jones wants to stay there. Kansas City wants him around. There’s been progress. I have to think there’s a common ground to be found on this one.

Other salary cap-clearing moves will likely have to happen for Kansas City to apply both the franchise tag and extend Jones. Look for restructured contracts for Patrick Mahomes and Jawaan Taylor to come down the pipe soon as well.