2025 NBA picks, March 14 best bets from proven model

The Indiana Pacers will look to win the season series when they battle the Philadelphia 76ers in a key Eastern Conference matchup on Friday night. Indiana is coming off a 115-114 win over Milwaukee on Tuesday, while Philadelphia dropped a 118-105 decision at Toronto on Wednesday. The Pacers (36-28), who are 21-20 against the East, are 15-18 on the road. The 76ers (22-43), who are 14-27 versus the East, are 12-21 on their home court. The Sixers have been decimated by injuries and have 12 players listed as out or questionable, including Joel Embiid (knee), Paul George (groin) and Tyrese Maxey (back) who are all out. Pascal Siakam (elbow) is questionable for Indiana.

Tipoff from Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia is set for 7 p.m. ET. Indiana has won two of three meetings this season, including a 115-102 decision in their last meeting on Jan. 18, and the Pacers have also covered in two of the three matchups. The Pacers are 13-point favorites in the latest Pacers vs. 76ers odds from SportsLine consensus, an increase from opening as 9.5-point favorites. The over/under for total points scored is 231.5. Indy is at -813 on the money line (risk $813 to win $100), while Philly is at +551 (risk $100 to win $551). Before making any 76ers vs. Pacers picks, make sure to check out the NBA predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past six-plus seasons. The model enters Week 21 of the 2024-25 NBA season on a sizzling 148-107 roll on all top-rated NBA picks dating back to last season, returning nearly $4,000. It’s also an outstanding 19-10 (65%) on top-rated spread picks this season. Anyone following at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen huge returns.

Now, the model has simulated Pacers vs. 76ers 10,000 times and just revealed its coveted NBA picks and betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several NBA odds and NBA betting lines for Sixers vs. Pacers:

Pacers vs. 76ers spread: Indiana -13
Pacers vs. 76ers over/under: 231.5 points
Pacers vs. 76ers money line: Indiana -813, Philadelphia +551
IND: The Pacers have hit the money line in 26 of their last 39 games (+19.20 units)
PHIL: The 76ers have hit the game total over in 49 of their last 82 games (+14.90 units)
Pacers vs. 76ers picks: See picks at SportsLine
Pacers vs. 76ers streaming: FuboTV (Try for free)
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Why the Pacers can cover
Power forward Pascal Siakam (questionable) has been on a roll of late. In the win over the Bucks on Tuesday, he registered a double-double with 25 points, 12 rebounds and five assists. He scored 35 points, grabbed nine rebounds and dished out three assists in a 124-118 loss at Atlanta on March 6. In 64 games, all starts, he is averaging 20.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 32.9 minutes.

Point guard Tyrese Haliburton has registered seven double-doubles in a row. In the win over Milwaukee, he finished with 14 points, 10 assists, three rebounds and two steals, including a game-winning four-point play at the end of the game to secure the victory. He scored 28 points, dished out 15 assists and grabbed three rebounds in a 115-102 win over the Houston Rockets on March 4. In 60 games, all starts, he is averaging 18.5 points, 8.9 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 34 minutes. See which team to back at SportsLine.

Why the 76ers can cover
Shooting guard Quentin Grimes has helped boost the Philadelphia offense since being acquired last month from the Dallas Mavericks. He poured in 29 points, while adding four rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks in the loss at Toronto. He scored 35 points, grabbed seven rebounds, dished out five assists and recorded three steals in a 132-123 loss at Atlanta on Monday. In 62 games this season, including 24 starts, he is averaging 12.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 25.2 minutes.

Also helping power the 76ers’ attack is veteran shooting guard Kelly Oubre Jr. In 60 games, including 57 starts, he is averaging 15.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.5 steals in 34.6 minutes. In a 123-105 loss at Boston on March 6, he poured in 27 points, while adding six assists, five rebounds and three steals. He had 24 points, three rebounds and two assists in a 126-112 loss at Minnesota on March 4. See which team to back at SportsLine.

How to make Pacers vs. 76ers picks
SportsLine’s model has simulated 76ers vs. Pacers 10,000 times and is leaning Under the total, projecting 224 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in 60% of simulations. You can head to SportsLine to see the model’s NBA picks.

So who wins Pacers vs. 76ers on Friday, and which side of the spread hits in 60% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Pacers vs. 76ers spread to back, all from the model that has returned well over $10,000 on top-rated NBA picks, and find out.

 Jamal Murray key component of Lakers-Nuggets SGP

The Denver Nuggets host the Los Angeles Lakers at 9:30 p.m. ET on Friday in a matchup of the No. 3 and 4 seeds in the Western Conference, respectively. The Nuggets are 42-24 on the year, holding a slim edge in the standings over the Lakers, who are 40-24. Denver is a 15-point favorite, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, and is -1000 on the money line (bet $1000 to win $100) while the Lakers are +600 (bet $100 to win $660). The over/under is 228, with the Over and Under each priced at -110. LeBron James (groin) and Luka Doncic (calf/ankle) have been ruled out for Los Angeles.

If you’re looking at player prop bets for Friday’s matchup between Denver and Los Angeles, including with Nuggets stars like Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, make sure to check out what the SportsLine Projection Model has to say.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past six-plus seasons. You can see all of the model’s top-rated prop picks for every game under the “Prop Picks” tab. There are ratings of up to five stars assigned for all sorts of different prop bets for players. Those picks can be key for creating winning parlays on DraftKings, FanDuel, PrizePicks, Underdog Fantasy or Sleeper Fantasy as well as same-game parlays on any available betting site.

Let’s dive into the SportsLine model’s three highest-rated player prop recommendations for Lakers-Nuggets and see what the payout would be if they were put into a same-game parlay.

Russell Westbrook Over 5.5 total assists (+126): 4 stars
Westbrook has finished Over his assists prop in four of his last five games against teams with top-third defenses. SportsLine’s model projects the veteran guard to finish Friday with 6.6 assists against the Lakers.

Jamal Murray Over 30.5 total points + rebounds + assists (-110): 3.5 stars
Murray is enjoying another nice season, and he has gone Over his PRA line in six of his last 10 games when the Nuggets have faced teams with a winning record. Murray is averaging 33.8 PRA per game over that timeframe, and the model projects him to have 31.8 PRA against Los Angeles.

Nikola Jokic Over 40.5 total points + rebounds (-106): 3 stars
Jokic, a three-time NBA MVP, has gone Over his points + rebounds prop in four of his last five games when the Nuggets are favored and playing a top-third defense. Jokic is averaging 42.6 total points + rebounds per game over that span, and SportsLine’s model projects him to finish Friday’s game against the Lakers with 40.8 total points + rebounds.

Same-Game Parlay odds: +796 at FanDuel Sportsbook

Want more NBA picks for tonight?
You’ve seen the top NBA prop picks for Lakers vs. Nuggets. Now, get NBA picks for every game from SportsLine’s proven model, which has returned more than $10,000 on top-rated NBA picks over the past six-plus season.

2025 NBA picks, March 14 best bets from proven model

The Denver Nuggets (42-24) are hosting the Los Angeles Lakers (40-24) in a conference tilt on Friday. The Nuggets have lost two of their last three games. On Wednesday, Denver was blown out 115-95 by the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Lakers are winless on this four-game road trip, dropping three games in a row. The Milwaukee Bucks beat Los Angeles 126-106 on Thursday. LeBron James (groin) and Luka Doncic (calf) have been ruled out for the Lakers. Aaron Gordon (ankle) is questionable for Denver, with Nikola Jokic (elbow) and Jamal Murray (knee) listed as probable.

Tipoff from Ball Arena in Denver is at 9:30 p.m. ET. The teams have split two meetings this season, with the road team winning each time. The Nuggets are 14.5-point favorites in the latest Lakers vs. Nuggets odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 227.5, a decrease from opening at 232. Before locking in any Nuggets vs. Lakers picks, make sure to check out the NBA predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past six-plus seasons. The model enters Week 21 of the 2024-25 NBA season on a sizzling 148-107 roll on all top-rated NBA picks dating back to last season, returning nearly $4,000. It’s also an outstanding 19-10 (65%) on top-rated spread picks this season. Anyone following at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen huge returns.

Now, the model has simulated Lakers vs. Nuggets 10,000 times and just revealed its coveted NBA picks and betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several NBA odds and NBA betting lines for Lakers vs. Nuggets:

Lakers vs. Nuggets spread: Denver -14.5
Lakers vs. Nuggets over/under: 227.5 points
Lakers vs. Nuggets money line: Denver -1124, Los Angeles +710
LAL: Lakers are 35-28-1 against the spread this season
DEN: Nuggets are 32-32-1 against the spread this season
Lakers vs. Nuggets picks: See picks at SportsLine
Lakers vs. Nuggets streaming: FuboTV (Try for free)
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Why the Lakers can cover
Rookie Dalton Knecht is in line for a heavy workload with the various Lakers injuries, but he’s shown that he’s up to the task. Across nine games in which he’s played 30-plus minutes, Knecht is averaging 20.3 points and 5.0 rebounds. He’s also scoring efficiently with these increased opportunities, with shooting percentages of 53.6% from the field and a blistering 50% from beyond the arc across these nine contests.

Guard Austin Reaves provides this team with another three-level scorer who can facilitate. Reaves logs 18.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 5.8 assists per contest. In the March 10 loss to the Nets, Reaves had 17 points and 10 assists. This was his fifth double-double this season with 10-plus assists. See which team to back at SportsLine.

Why the Nuggets can cover
Center Jokic (probable) continues to be an impactful playmaker for Denver. Jokic currently ranks third in the NBA in points (29) and rebounds (12.9) while being second in assists (10.4). He’s also 10th in the league in field-goal percentage (57.7%). In his last outing, Jokic racked up 34 points, eight boards and four assists. He’s scored at least 30 points in three of his last four games.

Forward Michael Porter Jr. is able to stretch the floor as a shooter and has a solid mid-range game. Porter Jr. averages 18.3 points, seven rebounds, and shoots 40% from downtown. On March 9 against the Thunder, he finished with 24 points and 15 boards. That marked his 12th double-double this season. See which team to back at SportsLine.

How to make Lakers vs. Nuggets picks
SportsLine’s model has simulated Lakers vs. Nuggets and is leaning Over the total, projecting 229 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in almost 70% of simulations. You can head to SportsLine to see the model’s NBA picks.

So who wins Lakers vs. Nuggets on Friday, and which side of the spread hits in almost 70% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Lakers vs. Nuggets spread to back, all from the model that has returned well over $10,000 on top-rated NBA picks, and find out.

2023 NFL Kickoff Game picks, predictions by expert on 53-35 roll

The reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs kick off the new NFL season when they host the Detroit Lions in the 2023 NFL Kickoff Game on Thursday, September 7 at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs are coming off a season in which they beat the Eagles, 38-35, in Super Bowl LVII, earning the franchise’s second Super Bowl title in the last four years. The Lions are a trendy pick in the NFC North after finishing last season at 9-8, the franchise’s first winning record since 2017.

Kickoff is set for 8:20 p.m. ET. Kansas City is a 6.5-point favorite in the latest Lions vs. Chiefs odds, while the over/under for total points scored is 54.5. Before you make any Chiefs vs. Lions picks or NFL predictions of your own, you need to see what proven SportsLine NFL expert R.J. White has to say, given his mastery of picks involving Detroit.

White, a Fantasy and gambling editor for CBS Sports, consistently crushes against-the-spread picks and went 535-450-30 on his ATS picks from 2017-22, which returned more than $3,500 to $100 players. He also closed the 2022 NFL season on an incredible 107-80-6 run on his last 193 against-the-spread and total NFL picks, returning more than $1,800 for $100 bettors.

Moreover, White has a read on the pulse of the Lions. He is 53-35-2 (+1462) on his last 90 picks in games involving Detroit. Anyone who has followed him is way up.

Now, White has locked in on Lions vs. Chiefs from every angle and just locked in his NFL Kickoff Game 2023 picks and predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see his picks. Here are several NFL odds and betting lines for Lions vs. Chiefs:

Lions vs. Chiefs spread: Kansas City -6.5
Lions vs. Chiefs over/under: 54.5 points
Lions vs. Chiefs money line: Kansas City -292, Detroit +235
KC: Patrick Mahomes led the league in passing yards (5,250) last season
DET: Jared Goff tied for fifth in the NFL in passing touchdowns (29) last year
Lions vs. Chiefs picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Chiefs can cover
Patrick Mahomes is coming off another standout season. The two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback led the league in passing yards (5,250) and passing touchdowns (41). His 67.1 completion percentage was the best of his career. For his efforts last season, he earned his second league MVP award.

Mahomes will face a defense that was one of the league’s worst in 2022. Last year, Detroit ranked 30th against the pass (245.8 yards per game) and 29th against the run (146.5). That bodes well for a Kansas City offense that led the league in total offense (413.6). See which team to back here.

Why the Lions can cover
Detroit can count on quarterback Jared Goff, who had one of his best seasons as a pro in 2022. Last season, he threw for 4,438 yards, with 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions. In his final 10 games, he had 17 touchdown passes and only one interception. The Lions went 8-2 over that stretch and narrowly missed out on the playoffs.

In addition, Detroit faces a Kansas City team that may be without one of its defensive stars. Chris Jones, a 6-foot-6 defensive tackle coming off an All-Pro season, is holding out in hopes of receiving a contract extension. His absence would be a major loss for the Chiefs since Jones had a career-high 15.5 sacks last season. See which team to pick here.

How to make Lions vs. Chiefs picks
White has analyzed this matchup and while we can tell you he’s leaning Over the point total, he has also discovered a critical X-factor that has him jumping all over one side of the spread. He’s sharing what it is, and which side to back, only at SportsLine.

Colts asked Dolphins for Jaylen Waddle in exchange for All-Pro back

For a team that doesn’t want to pay Jonathan Taylor, they sure have a high price tag on the All-Pro back. Last week, the Indianapolis Colts allowed Taylor to seek out a trade and it immediately came with the nugget that they were looking for a first-round draft pick in return. That lofty evaluation of their asset continued to hold firm as the Colts reportedly had trade conversations with various teams, including the Miami Dolphins.

During the negotiations, the Colts asked for star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle “and more” in exchange for Taylor, according to the Miami Herald. A recent report from ESPN that highlighted the Packers were also in on Taylor, acknowledged the Dolphins’ interest in the back as well. That report noted that the two sides discussed deals that included draft picks and players, but none of it was enticing enough for Indianapolis to agree to.

Of course, the Dolphins did not oblige the Waddle trade ask and Taylor ultimately stayed put while being placed on the physically unable to perform list, meaning he’ll be sidelined for the first four games of the season.

Given Waddle’s standing in the league as one of the up-and-coming pass catchers in the NFL, it wouldn’t be shocking to learn that the Dolphins swiftly denied that request. It also brings into question how seriously Indy was in trying to move Taylor or if they were simply going to deal him under the circumstance of a Godfather-like offer.

Waddle, a former No. 6 overall pick, burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2021 by recording the most receptions ever by a first-year player with 104 catches. He followed that up with a 1,300-yard sophomore season where he led the league with 18.1 yards per reception. While Taylor is talented in his own right, having an elite pass catcher in today’s NFL is more advantageous than an elite back.

The Colts can still trade Taylor — and he reportedly still has interested suitors around the league — and they’ll have until the Oct. 31 trade deadline to try and get the compensation they seek.

Former third-round quarterback could be added to practice squad

Matt Corral once had an opportunity to start for the Carolina Panthers. Now, the 2022 third-round pick is looking for his next opportunity. NFL Network reported the Panthers have waived Corral, keeping Bryce Young and Andy Dalton as the two quarterbacks on the active roster.

Panthers head coach Frank Reich said to reporters he’d like to get Corral back on the practice squad, but he’s subject to waivers. If Corral goes unclaimed, there’s an opportunity for him to return to Carolina.

Corral never played a regular-season game with the Panthers. Corral suffered a tear of the Lisfranc ligament in his left foot during the 2022 preseason when he was competing with Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold for the starting job, keeping him out for the year.

The Panthers signed Andy Dalton in free agency and traded up to No. 1 overall to draft Young, so Corral’s future with the franchise was as a developmental quarterback (at best). Corral went 28 of 47 for 249 yards with an interception in three preseason games, compiling a 64.9 rating. If Corral clears waivers, he’s free to sign with any team’s practice squad or active roster.

With Corral released, only 13 players from Matt Rhule’s draft picks remain on the 53-man roster — showcasing the significant changes the franchise has made since firing Rhule last season.

Titans sign former Browns kicker Cade York to practice squad, per report

The Tennessee Titans have torn down and built up their kicking room twice this offseason, completing their latest renovation at the NFL’s 53-man roster deadline. After Tennessee sent the New England Patriots a 2025 seventh-round pick for veteran kicker Nick Folk on Tuesday, the Titans reportedly added another specialist to their practice squad on Wednesday.

Per ESPN, the Titans are signing former Cleveland Browns kicker Cade York. York was released earlier this week after a poor preseason, as Cleveland opted to trade for former Los Angeles Chargers kicker Dustin Hopkins.

York was selected by the Browns in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of LSU. He was one of the most successful kickers in program history, and even left school early to enter the NFL Draft. In his rookie season with Cleveland, York converted on 75% of his field goals with a long of 58 yards, and 94.6% of his extra points.

However, York hit a slump this preseason. He went 4 of 8 on field goal attempts in four exhibition games, which included a potential 43-yard game-winner that was blocked with 12 seconds remaining in Cleveland’s final preseason outing against the Kansas City Chiefs.

“People gave me pats on the back, but I hate pity. Pity pisses me off,” York said after the Chiefs game. “I want to be a weapon. I know how good I am and it’s been the most frustrating thing the last month, struggling with that.”

The Browns wanted to add their former fourth-round pick to their practice squad, but York opted for a change of scenery.

“I think you can understand him maybe wanting to go somewhere else and maybe get a breath of fresh air,” said Browns VP of Player Personnel Glenn Cook, via Cleveland.com.

The Titans have famously struggled with the kicker position, and have had 10 different kickers in just the last four years. York is only 22 years old, and could serve as Tennessee’s kicker in the future after the 38-year-old Folk steps away. It’s an intriguing addition made by new general manager Ran Carthon.

Colts GM Chris Ballard says Jonathan Taylor’s situation ‘sucks’ for team, fans and star RB

Chris Ballard didn’t try to hide his frustration when asked about the ongoing situation with star running back Jonathan Taylor. Mirrored in an ugly contract dispute with Colts owner Jim Irsay, Taylor was ultimately placed on the team’s physically unable to perform list after he was unable to find a trade partner before Tuesday’s team-issued deadline.

The situation has been an ugly one for all parities involved, a fact that Ballard didn’t try to sugarcoat during Wednesday’s gathering with the media.

“I’m not going to sit here and give you a rosy picture,” Ballard said, via CBS Sports NFL Insider Jonathan Jones. “It sucks. It sucks for the Colts and it sucks for Jonathan Taylor and it sucks for our fans. It’s where we’re at and we’ve got to work through it.”

The ugliness started when Irsay publicly stated that the Colts would not redo Taylor’s contract before the start of the season. Instead of playing under the final year of his rookie deal, Taylor asked for a trade. The Dolphins emerged as one of the teams that was interested in Taylor, but talks never picked up steam after the Colts reportedly asked for wideout Jaylen Waddle “and more” in exchange for Taylor.

With no trades on the horizon, Taylor will miss the Colts’ first four games and could miss more if he decides that he has played his final down for the franchise. The Colts have until the league’s Oct. 31 deadline to trade him if they choose to do so.

For now, the Colts are moving forward with Zack Moss penciled in as the team’s starting running back, with Deon Jackson and Evan Hull stationed behind him. Moss, who was selected 45 spots after Taylor in the 2020 NFL Draft, averaged 4.8 yards per carry on 76 attempts after the Colts acquired him via a trade with the Bills last season.

Taylor’s situation is dampening the excitement around rookie first-round pick Anthony Richardson, who was named the team’s new starting quarterback following an impressive training camp. Richardson, who flourished during his final year at Florida, is doing his best to downplay the hype surrounding him.

“I know (the Colts) invested a lot in me,” Richardson said this week, via Fox59, “but I’m not the only person on this team. They invested a lot into the other players. They invested a lot into this staff.

“I know they’re going to ride with me, and I’m going to ride with them. I don’t really see it as I’m the main guy because, without the other pieces on the team, team not going to work.”

Kyle Shanahan hopes deal gets done soon, says 49ers won’t consider trading star pass rusher

The 49ers made headlines last week when they traded Trey Lance, but they don’t plan on making another shocking move when it comes to Nick Bosa, who is currently holding out in hopes of receiving a new contract.

While he expected something to be done by now, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Wednesday that he is hopeful that a deal will be “done soon,” according to NFL Media. Shanahan then offered a short but direct answer when asked if the team would consider trading the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.

“No,” Shanahan said.

It’s one thing to trade a backup quarterback, as the 49ers recently did with Lance. It’s an entirely different animal to trade one of the best defensive players in the league, as Bosa clearly is. The 25-year-old pass rusher is coming off a 2022 season that saw him pace the league with 18.5 sacks.

The second overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Bosa has been named to the Pro Bowl in three of his first four seasons. The only year that Bosa wasn’t tabbed as a Pro Bowler occurred in 2020, when he missed all but two games with an injury.

Last spring, the 49ers picked up Bosa’s fifth-year option that would pay him $17.85 million for the upcoming season. Bosa’s current market value is a four-year, $114.61 million deal that would pay him roughly $28.65 million annually, according to Spotrac. That deal would make him the league’s highest-paid pass rusher, just ahead of Steelers linebacker and 2021 Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt. It’s also more than what his big brother, Chargers’ defensive end Joey Bosa, makes as the league’s second-highest paid pass rusher behind Watt.

While Bosa remains unsigned, 49ers general manager John Lynch recently said that the team is “working diligently” to get a deal done. Lynch added that he is confident that Bosa (who has been training on his own during his holdout) will be in shape and ready to play when the contract issue is settled. The 49ers open the regular season at Pittsburgh on Sept. 10.

“Concern is a relative word,” Lynch said during an interview with KNBR Radio, via USA Today. “I don’t like the situation. Since our tenure here we haven’t had a holdout anywhere towards this magnitude. Not something I’m comfortable with. We’re working really hard to try to change that.

“We’re in good communication with his reps. He’s a special player, he’s going to get a special contract, I can tell you that. We’re getting closer and we’re eager to bring this thing to a close.”

Chiefs GM has been in contact with star, ‘hopeful’ he’s in lineup for season opener

The 53-man roster deadline has come and gone, and as it stands now, Kansas City Chiefs star defensive lineman Chris Jones is not a part of that roster. Jones was placed on the Reserve/Did Not Report list Tuesday, which is another indication he’s taking his holdout very seriously. NFL Media reported on Tuesday that there has been no new movement between the Chiefs and Jones. However, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach offered some hope to fans the very next day.

In speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Veach said he’s “certainly hopeful” Jones’ contract situation will be settled soon, and that he will be in the lineup when Kansas City hosts the Detroit Lions in the 2023 NFL season opener next Thursday, via NFL Media. Veach noted that there has been more communication between the two sides over the last few days. This is certainly a positive development, especially considering that Jones indicated on social media this month that he was willing to hold out until Week 8.

Jones has been holding out in hopes of landing a new contract. The All-Pro is entering the final year of his deal, and is due $20 million in cash in 2023, per Spotrac. The Athletic previously reported that Jones is looking for a new deal that will pay him $30 million annually. Veach admitted earlier this month that Jones is deserving of a pay raise.

“He’s a great player, and he wants a big contract,” Veach said, via the Kansas City Star. “He deserves a big contract, and I don’t think there’s any surprises in that regard. But there’s just some hurdles we have to work through in regards to how we can keep this thing going for the short and long term. But we’ve never wavered on, ‘This is a guy that we want to exhaust all of our efforts to get done,’ because that’s how much we think of him.”

Jones has recorded the fourth-most sacks in the NFL over the past five seasons (56.5). He is a four-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler. Just 29, Jones is a vital part of the Chiefs defense and team as a whole.