Michkov has already recorded 19 goals and 22 assists for 41 points in 46 games this season in the KHL. He is truly making history with what he is doing. And he’s doing it during a season where he spent a significant amount of battling sickness. He may still be experiencing the aftereffects of his sickness, but he appears to be doing well.
When the NFL free agency of 2024 gets underway on March 13 and the new league year gets underway, the Detroit Lions will have an abundance of alternatives at their disposal.
They already have a high-profile All-Pro associated with them.
The NFL writer for ESPN, Aaron Schatz, recommended on Friday that the Lions try to sign All-Pro defensive lineman Chris Jones in his piece highlighting the “bold” offseason moves made by each NFL team.
The Minnesota Vikings, for example, may consider dealing Justin Jefferson rather of re-signing the young, talented wide receiver. Schatz offered options for the other 31 clubs, saying that “some of these are realistic and others are more far-fetched, but each would provide a significant change.”
Over the last five years, Jones has been a crucial member of the Kansas City Chiefs dynasty. In July, he turns thirty.
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Without a question, signing Jones would have a significant impact on the Lions’ future, both on the field for a defense that has failed to apply consistent pressure and off the field due to Jones’ demand for one of the biggest contracts in the league for a defensive player.
He may be the deciding factor that advances the Lions to the Super Bowl for the first time, having fallen one game short the previous season, or he might hurt the team’s finances going forward (or maybe both).
Jones has played his whole career in Kansas City. He is a three-time Super Bowl winner, five-time Pro Bowler, and two-time first-team All-Pro. Jones is a three-technique defensive lineman who can play both inside and outside the line. He can cause havoc wherever he lines up. Jones lines up between the guard and the tackle.
Jones recorded 30 tackles, 13½ tackles for loss, and 10½ sacks in 16 regular season games in 2023. This came after a year in which he equaled his career-high of 15½ sacks and placed third in the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year vote.
Jones missed just one game in 2023—the Lions season opener—because he and the Chiefs couldn’t come to an agreement over his contract. He signed a one-year contract worth $19.5 million in base pay and $5 million in incentives with the Chiefs shortly after the Lions defeated the Chiefs, the reigning Super Bowl winners, on the road. He made the most of the pact following another All-Pro season that resulted in another Super Bowl triumph. DRAFT STRATEGY: Unconventional was successful for the Lions in the NFL Draft of 2023, but this spring don’t anticipate imitations.
Schatz provided the following justification in his explanation: “As a division champion with salary room to spare, the Lions are in a wonderful position this summer. The Lions will thus most likely be bound to sign every significant free agent that becomes available, particularly at the defensive end. There will be much discussion about a number of veterans joining the Lions in an attempt to end the team’s curse and win the Super Bowl. However, Jones of the Chiefs, a guy who has already won three of them, is the greatest option.
“Jones faced more double teams than any other defensive lineman in the game, yet he still finished second in pass rush victory percentage (19.6%).
