Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones was absent from minicamp this week, but head coach Andy Reid said he's not concerned and expects Jones to return for training camp.
"So, Chris wasn't here," Reid said, according to Nick Shook of NFL Network. "Kinda like last year, same type of deal. That's his choice. So, he chose not to be here. I'm sure he'll be at training camp."
Jones turns 29 in July and is entering the final year of a four-year, $80-million contract he signed in 2020. He is set to make $19.5 million in base salary this season.
He's slated to have a $28.2-million cap hit, according to Over The Cap. With the Chiefs currently last in the NFL in cap space, a contract extension would give the franchise some financial wiggle room and lock down one of its best players.
Jones posted a video on Instagram this week showing him throwing imaginary money in the air after a sack.
"I don't even deal with it. I let (Chiefs general manager) Brett (Veach) and his group deal with it," Reid said. "If you're there, you're there, and if you're not, we keep going. It's one of those deals. They'll work all that out. They're communicating, so that's important."
Jones is coming off a career year in which he led all interior pass-rushers with 15.5 sacks. He received first-team All-Pro honors and was awarded his fourth Pro Bowl selection.
The Mississippi State product has been with the Chiefs since they selected him in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
"It's part of the business," quarterback Patrick Mahomes said, according to Adam Teicher of ESPN. "I think Chris knows that we love him here. He's been a part of this team for a long time. He's one of the main reasons that we've had the success that we've had. He's been that leader on the defense."
Jones has 243 tackles and 65 sacks in 107 career games.
