Chris Jones posted a cryptic Super Bowl photo that left fans uncertain about his Chiefs future

When all is said and done, Chris Jones will one day walk into Canton, Ohio, as a Pro Football Hall of Famer. A five-time Pro Bowler and two-time First-Team All-Pro, the 30-year-old defensive lineman has been integral to the Kansas City Chiefs’ dynastic success with Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid, and Travis Kelce. But a cryptic Twitter post seemingly throws his situation up into the air.

On Thursday morning, Jones took to his social media to post a photo of himself celebrating the Chiefs’ Super Bowl 58 victory over the San Francisco 49ers with Reid. His caption just reads “KC” with what feels like indecisive and extended ellipses. Jones played the 2023 season on a one-year contract heavily laden with incentives. As an elite defender who believes he’s earned a new, lucrative, long-term deal, Jones missed Kansas City’s opening game of the season because of a holdout.

Judging by this Twitter post, it’s not entirely clear whether the Chiefs and Jones are preparing for a return or an appropriate goodbye:

If this is the end of Jones’ time with the Chiefs, it’s uncertain how both parties will move forward. Kansas City will presumably use the salary-cap space left behind by Jones in other places (perhaps a free-agent wide receiver). At the same time, Jones would instantly become the top free-agent player available on the open market. Any number of teams would come calling to add a defender that elevates his teammates like few superstars can. Of course, Jones could be unofficially revealing that negotiations are going well with the Chiefs and that he expects to finish his NFL career in a place where he’s been quite happy. (The Chiefs do have the money! They could fit him!)

At the very least, if Jones is starting to say goodbye, it’s nice to see that he appears to have truly enjoyed his years in Kansas City and doesn’t have any bitter feelings.