“I won’t be playing then”: Chris Jones makes big comment on retirement amid Chiefs’ planned $3.3B stadium move to Kansas in 2031

The Kansas City Chiefs are officially planning for a future beyond Arrowhead Stadium, and the news is forcing both fans and players to think long term. The franchise has confirmed plans to relocate across the state line to Kansas in 2031, marking the end of decades at one of the NFL’s most iconic venues. While the move is still years away, it has already sparked reflection inside the locker room, especially among veteran leaders who helped build the Arrowhead era.For many Chiefs fans, Arrowhead is more than a stadium. It represents championships, packed playoff nights, and a home-field advantage known across the league. The idea of leaving it behind is emotional. It also raises a simple question. Who will still be around when the move finally happens? Defensive tackle Chris Jones has now reacted to it.Chris Jones, one of the longest-tenured stars on the roster, addressed that reality honestly ahead of the Christmas Day game. Looking at the timeline, Jones made it clear he does not expect to still be playing when the Chiefs open their new stadium. “Whatever they do, that’s 2031,” Jones said in the press conference ahead of the Christmas Day game, thinking about how he would be much older. “Yeah, I won’t be playing then. I hope I have a seat somewhere in the suite or somewhere wherever they play.”Jones would be 37 by that point, and his current contract runs through 2028. Even without any roster changes, his playing days would almost certainly be over by the time the move becomes reality. Still, his connection to the region remains strong. “That’s so far away, yet so close. Wherever we play it for the next few, I’ll be appreciative. I have so much love for Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas.”While Jones accepted the future calmly, he also acknowledged what Arrowhead has meant to the franchise and its supporters. “There’s a lot of history in that stadium [Arrowhead],” he said. “And like Mr. Hunt said, his father was all about evolving. And these fans are loyal.”Behind the scenes, the move is backed by a massive financial plan. Kansas officials approved a STAR bond deal that allows the state to fund roughly 60 percent of the project, about $1.8 billion, through future revenue tied to the development. The full project is valued at $3.3 billion and includes a domed stadium, an entertainment district, and a new team headquarters and training facility.Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt spoke of the long-term vision behind the decision. “This project represents another step in our legacy of innovation and our fan-first mentality, which started with my father, Lamar Hunt,” he said. “The stadium, practice facility, and surrounding development will benefit the entire region, and further elevate Kansas City in the eyes of the country and the world.”The final site has not been announced, though locations near the Kansas Speedway are being considered. Also read: Is a name change coming for the Kansas City Chiefs as they move to Kansas? NFL history suggests what fans fear the most