The defending Super Bowl champs are facing serious issues with the training camps on their doorsteps. There were already numerous speculations around their star quarterback, Patrick Mahomes’ annual pay, and it’s now worsened with yet another teammate. The 2x MVP has made it very clear in the past that he’s not willing to hurt the team for huge compensation, hence he currently stands at seventh, lagging behind by miles, despite being the league’s reigning MVP.

Mahomes’ defensive tackle teammate, on the other hand, does not intend to back down from his standoff against the team. With Saturday’s training camp being concluded, the DT was nowhere to be seen, sparking rumors about the contract and a staggering fine.

Patrick Mahomes’ teammate could face multiple $50k fines

The defensive tackle in question is no other than Chris Jones. Despite being the DPOY finalist, the Chiefs man isn’t being fairly compensated, when compared to other athletes from his position. The ruthless DT is set to make $19.5 million in the year 2023 and has been urging the team to match it with other athletes for a while now. Athletes like Jeffrey Simmons, Daron Payne, Dexter Lawrence, and Quinnen Williams have already restructured their contracts with their respective teams in the offseason, with their annual pay ranging from $21 to $23.5 million. In protest, Jones has chosen to have one-up against the team by being a no-show at the training camp.

Jones is entering his final year of the extension that he scored back in 2020. A long-term deal and fair pay have been the talk of the town for a while now, but the Chiefs are yet to make a move. Following his absence from the camp, and as he is still part of the team’s contract, the DT could be fined up to a whopping $50000 for every missed day of practice. The 2x Super Bowl champ, on the other hand, remains steadfast in his stance, as athletes like Aaron Donald are getting paid about $31 million yearly, while his team refuses to meet the average mark.

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As the draft season concludes, contract disputes have become a common issue in the league. With the running back issue at hand, the Chiefs’ star QB has also met with less-than-average pay.

Contract disputes and unfair pay in the year 2023

Jones is a mere piece of the puzzle in terms of contract disputes in the current season. Even the athletes with a minor role, compared to a running back, are currently making way more money in terms of average annual pay. NFL veteran OJ Simpson recently took to Twitter to address this RB situation and brought up the league’s top-tier athletes, Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs. And even still, Barkley was served with a franchise tag. Notably, Jones’ own teammate, Mahomes, currently stands at 7th in terms of annual pay, when compared to other quarterbacks. Even Jalen Hurts, who was the runners up in last season’s Super Bowl, is set to make $6 million more than the 2x MVP.

Given the importance of keeping their athletes content, the Chiefs may consider contract restructures soon. Jones is a crucial asset to the team, and his unhappiness could significantly impact his performance in the upcoming season.

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