Prized free agent crushes Cowboys fans dreams with blunt quote about future

It would certainly behoove the Dallas Cowboys to consider signing some free agents from the Super Bowl. This locker room could use some players who have experience playing deep in the playoffs and the Chiefs and 49ers, the gold standards in the AFC and NFC, respectively, each have a shopping list of free agents.

A staggering report linked the Cowboys to Chiefs cornerback L'Jarius Sneed, who figures to be a strong commodity on the open market after a representative 2023 season. Sneed was a top-three most important player on what proved to be a historic Kansas City defense.

Of course, the Cowboys probably can't afford Sneed. The 27-year-old will likely command a substantial contract and Dallas already has Trevon Diggs locked into a $97 million deal worth north of $19 million annually.

There is one Chiefs free agent who'd be a dream get for the Cowboys, however. That's defensive lineman Chris Jones. Given Jones staged a contract holdout before the season, there was some speculation he'd leave Kansas City in free agency regardless of if the team won the Super Bowl.

Unfortunately, Jones crushed Cowboys fans' dreams by essentially confirming during Wednesday's Super Bowl parade that he'll be back with the Chiefs in 2024.

Chiefs star Chris Jones crushes Cowboys fans dreams ahead of 2024 free agency

"I got on this stage last year and I said: 'run it back, run it back," Jones said. "But you know what? I want that three-peat. And for those who want Chris Jones gone, I ain’t going nowhere, baby. I’m going to be here this year, and the year after that. I need that three-peat."

This quote doesn't confirm Jones will be back in Kansas City. Money talks, and Jones has taken the mantle from Aaron Donald as the single-most disruptive interior defender in the league. He made numerous big plays in the Super Bowl, including a pressure of Brock Purdy on 3rd and 4 in overtime that limited the 49ers to a field goal.

While Patrick Mahomes is a legend in the making, the Chiefs don't have three Super Bowls in the last five years without Jones.

As a game-wrecking DT, Jones is exactly what the Cowboys need. While they need to reserve funds for a Micah Parsons extension, 2024 could be DeMarcus Lawrence's final year in Dallas.

Lawrence has a $20 million cap hit in 2024, but the cap allows for teams to design contracts to remain under the cap. A lofty signing bonus and substantial guarantees to Jones are one way the Cowboys could make the money work.

Jones' contract holdout suggests he won't re-sign with Kansas City unless they make him the league's highest-paid DT. It's nothing less than he deserves. We'll see if GM Brett Veach puts his money where his mouth is, but Jones' blunt quote at the parade doesn't bode well for the Cowboys.

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