ESPN: Chiefs Having Interest in All-Time FBS Receptions Leader

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Kansas City Chiefs will invite free agent wide receiver Zay Jones to visit on Thursday, May 9.

Former Jaguars WR Zay Jones is scheduled to visit Thursday with the Kansas City Chiefs, per league sources.

After Jacksonville released him last week, Jones has visited the Titans, Cardinals and Cowboys – with the Chiefs on deck. pic.twitter.com/thxVqQOvL8

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 9, 2024

Jones, who played college football at East Carolina, entered the NFL as the all-time FBS catches leader (399). The Buffalo Bills selected him in the second round (37th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft.

Jones, 29, is 6-foot-2 and weighs 200 pounds. He spent two seasons in Buffalo before being sold to the Oakland Raiders in October 2019 for a 2021 fifth-round pick. He spent the 2021 season with the Raiders before becoming a free agent for the first time in 2022, signing a three-year, $24 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Jones’ most productive season in the NFL came during his stint with Jacksonville. According to Pro Football Reference, Jones had career highs in targets (121), catches (82), and receiving yards (823) in 2022.

Unfortunately, Jones missed eight regular-season games in 2023 due to knee and hamstring ailments. Jones recorded 34 receptions on 64 targets for 321 yards and two touchdowns in the games in which he appeared.

Jones was released by Jacksonville on April 30, just five days after the team selected LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. with the 23rd overall choice in the 2024 NFL Draft. According to Spotrac, Jones’ release saved the Jaguars $4.1 million against the salary ceiling.

Chiefs Still Seeking Boundary Help on Offense

The two-time defending Super Bowl winners selected Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy 28th overall in the April Draft, but the team is still looking for receiver help, particularly around the boundary.

The Chiefs’ offense now has a lot of speed because to the additions of Worthy and Marquise “Hollywood” Brown in free agency. However, the receiver room is still too small.

The only receiver on Kansas City’s roster who is taller than Jones is third-year wideout Justyn Ross (6-foot-4). However, Ross hasn’t demonstrated enough to carve out a place for himself on offense, so his stature has yet to be utilized.

Jones, while capable of playing in the slot, is mostly a boundary receiver who excels in contested catch situations. So it’s understandable that the Chiefs are interested in the seasoned free agent.

Jones’ visit to Kansas City comes only three days after the Chiefs completed their three-day rookie minicamp on May 6.

According to the NFLPA’s Salary Cap Report, the Chiefs have $18.5 million in cap space.

Twitter/X Reacts to Chiefs Hosting Zay Jones

Users on X, formerly Twitter, responded to the Chiefs hosting Zay Jones on a free agent visit.

“Was the third receiver in Doug Pederson’s offense last year. If he’s asked to be the fourth or fifth option in an offense, he’s a competent player. Price Carter of Arrowhead Addict stated, “Raises the floor, not the ceiling.”

“Of the possibilities left, I preferred this the most. Conner Christopherson of Arrowhead Report stated, “So good.” “He won’t be a superstar or anything but he’s a solid vet who can fill in.”

“Veach had enough of the BS. “He’s going to get a veteran,” another user commented. “I really like Zay. He had a good season for the Jaguars a few years back, but so did the entire offense. I believe he’d perform well in Kansas City as a WR4.