49ers set precedent for Chris Jones with Nick Bosa contract decision
Further details have emerged around Nick Bosa’s contract extension with the San Francisco 49ers - and it will be music to Chris Jones' ears.
On Thursday it was confirmed that Bosa had signed a new five-year contract worth $170 million (£136 million) with the Niners. The deal will see the defensive end earn a guaranteed $122.5 million (£98.5 million) and become the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history.
In the process, Bosa will earn an average annual salary of $34 million (£27.2 million). That will be more than the $31.7 million (£25.4 million) average salary that Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald has been earning.
As a result of signing a new contract, Bosa is expected to make a return to the roster for the start of the 2023 NFL regular season. The Niners begin the season on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and now an update has emerged about Bosa’s contract.
It has been reported by NFL.com that the Niners will waive all of the fines incurred by Bosa during his contract holdout. Bosa had not returned to training camp or practice for the Niners throughout the entirety of pre-season.
Joe Burrow backs Patrick Mahomes after Kansas City Chiefs reach Super BowlIn the process, Bosa incurred fines for every mandatory practice he missed, as well as the pre-season games. Those fines would have increased had he sat out of any NFL games from Sunday onwards.
Whilst not being part of practice with his teammates, Bosa is said to have been training on his own during the off-season to ensure he stays fit for the start of the campaign. And thanks to the decision from the Niners, it may have set a precedent for another current contract holdout.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Jones is seeking a new and improved contract after an impressive 2022 season. The Chiefs want to hand Jones a new deal, but as things stand no agreement has been reached.
Just like Bosa, Jones has been taking on fines for every practice and pre-season game he has missed. Those fines are expected to increase should he sit out of the Week One opener against the Detroit Lions tonight (Thursday), although he has not been listed as inactive for the game at Arrowhead Stadium.
Jones has entered the final year of his contract where he is set to earn $20 million (£16 million). It has been reported, though, that the 29-year-old is seeking closer to $30 million (£24 million) per year.
After the decision from the Niners to reportedly waive all of the fines from Bosa, a precedent may have been set that may expect the Chiefs to do the same with Jones if and when an agreement eventually gets reached.