Jones was released by the Jets last week after being due a $3 million roster bonus on top of a $2.8 million base salary this season. He and the Jets failed to reach a compromise on restructuring his contract; the team wanted him to take a pay cut.
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Jones isn't the only prospective new face in the Kansas City backfield. After spending Tuesday with the Washington Redskins, Pittsburgh Steelers free-agent running back Willie Parker is scheduled to visit the Chiefs on Thursday, a league source told Schefter. The Chiefs are looking long and hard at veteran running backs. They also met with Justin Fargas on Tuesday, according to a league source.
Jones sat out voluntary activities last offseason while trying unsuccessfully to renegotiate his deal, which was front-loaded with $13.1 million over the first two seasons. He made only $900,000 in base salary last season, but didn't allow it to affect his play.
The 31-year-old is coming off a season in which he set career highs by rushing for 1,402 yards and 14 touchdowns while helping the Jets reach the AFC Championship Game against Indianapolis. He was also a popular presence in the locker room, twice being voted the team's most inspirational player by his teammates.
Jones had a career-high 331 carries in the regular season and appeared to wear down a bit down the stretch as rookie Shonn Greene got the majority of carries. Still, with the game on the line against San Diego and the Jets facing fourth-and-1 late, coach Rex Ryan put the ball in Jones' hands to make a first down that clinched a trip to Indianapolis.
