Browns Targeting Chiefs DT Chris Jones?

With Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones still holding out as he wants to maximize his earning power on what may be his final contract in the NFL, Cleveland Browns players are quietly suggesting they hope the front office is trying to see if he'd like to change his address.

The Kansas City Chiefs are set to open the season Thursday against the Detroit Lions, but their stud defensive tackle Chris Jones did not report to practice on Sunday as he continues his holdout. That same day, Cleveland Browns safety Juan Thornhill coincidentally sent a relatively innocuous tweet to his former teammate the same day.

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— Za'Darius Smith (@zadariussmith) September 3, 2023

Browns defensive end Za'Darius Smith was just one of the people who noticed.

Jones and Thornhill won two Super Bowls with the Chiefs and Thornhill has been actively attempting to recruit other former teammates to the Browns. Earlier in the offseason, Thornhill was hoping that Mecole Hardman would sign the Browns as a free agent. Hardman would sign with the New York Jets who would then trade wide receiver Elijah Moore to the Browns along with a pick swap.

The Browns have assembled quite a war chest of cap room in recent weeks. While that money is mostly earmarked to be rolled over into next season to enable the Browns to continue to pay the most expensive roster in the league, they do have flexibility to make a move if the right offer comes along.

Jones wants a deal in the ball park of Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams. He's already surpassed $2 million in fines during his holdout to show he means business. Jones is currently on the reserve/did not report list, which means he is not currently taking up a roster spot.

 Chiefs head coach Andy Reid claims has tried to play down the situation, saying “I don't know when he's coming or not coming" to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

The Chiefs, coming off their second Super Bowl in four years may be more than comfortable allowing Jones to sit out the first half of the season. Jones is the best player on the team's defense, but with Patrick Mahomes and the offense, the team may feel confident they can stay in position to qualify for the postseason even if he misses weeks or even months.

The Chiefs have to weigh that against the possibility that such a standoff may ruin their chances of winning their third Super Bowl, perhaps going back to back. It's also worth pointing out that the Chiefs were able to trade Tyreek Hill for a bounty of picks to the Miami Dolphins and won the Super Bowl this past year, which might bolster their resolve in standing pat. 

The Chiefs did make a trade to acquire defensive Neil Farrell from the Las Vegas Raiders, who plays the same position as Jones.

A loss to the Lions or would only add pressure for the Chiefs to get a deal done, but so long as they win, they can continue to wait for Jones to drop his asking price.

That is one of the stumbling blocks for the Browns or any team. Chris Jones is a phenomenal player and still only 29 years old. The Chiefs aren't giving him away and would want a significant return in trade. Further, the team trading for him would then have to sign him to an Aaron Donald-level contract.

Yes, the Browns could theoretically do that, but it would require them to start offloading some pieces this next coming offseason. Maybe some of those players are already earmarked as possible trade pieces, but this might cement that reality.

The league leading amount of cap space the Browns currently have combined with their ambition for these next few seasons make it difficult to count them out on anything. The Browns can keep tabs on Chris Jones, Aaron Donald or the Indianapolis Colts DeForest Buckner if they are indeed trying to land additional defensive line help.

Any of the three would elevate the Browns to having arguably the best defensive front in the league and they are already loaded at that position group. General Manager Andrew Berry has a reputation for checking into everything, so chances are he knows if the Chiefs are thinking about moving Jones and what the price would be.

Like with Donald, the chances of a deal may be slim, but that's not going to stop fans or players from hoping the team can swing a deal for one of the most feared interior presences in the league.