Chris Jones, a tackle for the Pro Bowl Chiefs defense, threatened to withdraw Le’Veon Bell. Jones wants a new contract and seems willing to spend a full season to get it.
Respond to the NFL Network report that there is “a lot of work” for both parties to reach an agreement before the July 15 deadline, Jones tweeted: “Or I won’t play. Le’Veon Bell told me about this.”
Bell sat throughout the 2018 season while the Steelers got what they wanted. He did get the money, got a four-year contract with the Jets who could pay him as much as $ 61 million if he reached all the incentives in the agreement.
There are some big differences, of course. Bell is in the second franchise tag in 2018. Jones, 25, is only in his first tag, which means he may have to sit two seasons to get a big money deal. He will get $ 16.1 million if he plays this year under the franchise label.
Chris Jones, Le’Veon BellGetty Images; Bill Kostroun
Jones, the NFL Network reports, wants more than $ 20 million per season. Only five players who survived in the NFL earned an average salary above $ 20 million: Khalil Mack, Aaron Donald, DeMarcus Lawrence, DeForest Buckner and Frank Clark.
Jones is a star player. The 37th overall choice in 2016, he had 15 sacks in 2018 and nine years ago after shifting from the defensive end to the defensive tackle.
