Chiefs DT Chris Jones Hoping For Time Off During Training Camp

We are just a couple of weeks away from the start of training camp and Kansas City Chiefs star defensive tackle Chris Jones is already lobbying for time off.

Jones spoke to reporters during this youth football camp in Overland Park this week, and said he had already pitched the idea to coach Andy Reid.

Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) is pressured by Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) in the second half in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

“Listen man, I’ve already been talking to Andy about, ‘Let me skip out on training camp. I’m a little older, right?’” Jones said. “I can feel it. I can feel when we have a day on training camp. Give me like two days off and one day on, then — and we maybe can work something out, you know?”

Reporters from the Kansas City Star asked how coach Reid felt about the proposal.

“He just looked at me,” smiled Jones. “So, the conversation is still ongoing.”

Last season, Jones missed all of the offseason program, training camp and even the first game of the season over a contract dispute with the Chiefs.

A deal ultimately got done, and Jones got back to playing football. Even without all the practice and training camp, Jones still received his second straight first-team All-Pro selection.

With that said, Jones may have a case for less practice. Around the league, a lot of the older players get “veteran rest days” during the season, but like coach Reid, we aren’t sure about guys missing time during training camp when so much is at stake.

With camp opening at Missouri Western State University in St Joseph in just a few weeks, the one thing we are sure of is that Jones will be ready to go either way.

“The mindset is always the same: being in the best shape you could be in, finding a way to interact with the community — but also better yourself — doing a good deed a week,” Jones said. “I don’t think my mindset ever changed, year in and year out through different contract situations. It’s just that I get a little wiser; I get a few more gray hairs. And we’re gonna keep this thing going.”

The Chiefs open camp on Friday, July 26 at 9:15 am, and the quest for NFL immortality begins.