The Kansas City Chiefs and Chris Jones still haven’t agreed on a new contract about a week before the season opener. General manager Brett Veach hasn’t given up hope, though.

Will the Kansas City Chiefs and Chris Jones come to an agreement after all? Just days before the opening game of the new NFL season between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions, Chiefs GM Brett Veach has not given up hope yet.

Speaking to reporters, the 45-year-old said when asked if the four-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman would return in time for the game against the Lions: “We’re hoping for it, obviously.”

“We’ve been talking and just in the last couple of days we’ve been talking even more. We’re going to keep pushing and working hard,” Veach continued.

Jones himself did not comment on the current situation in recent days, but recently threatened the franchise with strike action until week eight.

Curiously, however, there is said to be no “bad blood” between the two parties, as Veach assures: “There is a lot of respect on both sides about this. It’s been made clear what we think of Chris and he thinks the same.” Jones deserved a “big contract”.

Jones enters final season

The 29-year-old is entering the final season of his current four-year, $80 million contract and is likely to demand a significant pay rise if he signs a contract extension. Jones had 15.5 sacks and two forced fumbles last season.

If GM Veach has his way, more will be added in week one of the new NFL season: “We’ll keep working on it and look forward to next Thursday when hopefully he’ll be in the lineup and ready to go. “