Chris Jones and the Kansas City Chiefs’ defense had quite the roller coaster of a year, emerging from a season that many would still argue is one for the history books despite certain critiques popping up here and there. At the heart of this defensive dynamo is Chris Jones, the veteran captain whose leadership has been invaluable. Yet, whispers around the league suggest that at 31, Jones may be showing initial signs of wear.
While Jones’ talent remains indisputable, there’s a growing narrative that he’s more of a pass-rushing savant than the all-encompassing force he once was. An unnamed coach shared with ESPN that Jones, while still formidable, is perceived as becoming “increasingly one-dimensional.”
“When you talk about the best defensive tackles, they dominate both the run and the pass,” the coach noted. “There were moments where Jones was quieter than expected. The top players at that position are game-wreckers no matter the play call.”
Despite any perceived decline, Jones’ contributions are hardly negligible. His tackle tally leaped to 37 in 2024, showing an upward trend. However, his sack count dipped to five, marking the first time since his rookie stint that he produced such numbers. Yet, his influence on the field is recognized as he still earned first-team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl nod for the third straight year.
Flashback to the previous two seasons, Jones was nothing short of a powerhouse, racking up an astounding total of 26 sacks and 29 quarterback hits each year, arguably one of the most dominant stretches seen from an interior defensive lineman in the league’s storied annals.
As Jones gears up for 2025, the Chiefs might consider managing his workload with more precision. Jeremy Fowler from ESPN hinted that Kansas City’s offseason moves suggest this approach, as they stockpiled talent on the defensive line. The addition of veteran Jerry Tillery and second-round pick Omar Norman-Lott could signal a strategic rotation to bolster their forward attack.
The Chiefs went into the offseason well-aware that despite their defense’s overall success in 2024, there was room for improvement, specifically in pass rush. GM Brett Veach clearly took this to heart, prioritizing this aspect with gusto. This led to re-signing Charles Omenihu, along with drafting promising newcomers Ashton Gillotte and Jeffery Bassa, in combination with their pick of Norman-Lott.
On the offensive side, with key players like Rashee Rice and Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown ready for a bounce-back, there’s optimism that last year’s struggles could turn into this year’s triumphs. Veach’s intentional focus on fortifying the defense mirrors the Chiefs’ broader strategy of getting even scarier for their opponents. As the rest of the league watches Kansas City, there’s little doubt that with their recent dominance, another Super Bowl trot is well within reach.
