Dan Campbell hopes Chiefs DT Chris Jones' holdout lasts through season opener
We are 21 days away from the Kansas City Chiefs season opener against the Detroit Lions on Thursday, Sept. 7. Both teams are beginning to turn their attention toward Week 1 of the regular season, but only one team's coach is talking about it. Speaking with Mike Stone and Jon Jansen of WXYT-FM 97.1 FM, Detroit Lions HC […]
We are 21 days away from the Kansas City Chiefs season opener against the Detroit Lions on Thursday, Sept. 7.
Both teams are beginning to turn their attention toward Week 1 of the regular season, but only one team's coach is talking about it. Speaking with Mike Stone and Jon Jansen of WXYT-FM 97.1 FM, Detroit Lions HC Dan Campbell revealed they've switched their preparation for the Chiefs into "Hyperdrive."
"We are," Campbell said. "We've got some things that we're already looking at. It started in the spring a little bit and now we've kind of been in Hyperdrive the last week. We're already in the beginning phases of this, to get ready for them."
Whether preparations have been kicked into "Hyperdrive" or "Ludicrous Speed", this shouldn't come as a big surprise. The Chiefs began preparations for the Lions along with their AFC West opponents during OTAs. The starters in Kansas City typically get an extra week of preparation in the final week of the preseason as the majority of them won't play in the game.
It's common practice for teams to get a head start as best they can during the course of the offseason.
The Chris Jones factor
The biggest storyline for the Chiefs this offseason has been the holdout of star DT Chris Jones, who missed the entirety of the team's training camp. Campbell, of course, is hoping that Jones' holdout lasts a little bit longer.
"Yeah, that’d be great," Campbell said of Jones' holdout. "That'd be grat. I love where he’s at right now. Hopefully, we can keep him there."
Campbell will obviously take all the help he can get against the reigning Super Bowl champions. Jones extending his holdout into the regular season would certainly be a boon to them and a big detriment to Steve Spagnuolo's defense.
In his last game against Detroit in 2019, Jones notched a sack and three total pressures along with a tackle for loss on the day. The Lions boast an entirely new offensive line, but the All-Pro defensive tackle proved to be as effective as ever just a season ago with 15.5 sacks in the regular season.
Chiefs DL coach Joe Cullen remains optimistic Chris Jones deal will get done
Kansas City Chiefs DL coach Joe Cullen had a lot to say about Chris Jones and his holdout during Wednesday’s press conference.
Featured image via Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
