Kansas City Chiefs: Who won first week of free agency?

Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid, left, and General Manager Brett Veach, right, introduce safety Tyrann Mathieu in the Stram Theater in Kansas City, Mo., on Thursday, March 14, 2019. The Chiefs signed Mathieu to a three-year deal reportedly worth $42 million. (Tammy Ljungblad/Kansas City Star/TNS via Getty Images) /

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Kansas City Chiefs Chris Jones (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images) /

This is Chris Jones‘ defense now.

With Berry and Houston gone, Jones is now the undisputed leader of the Chiefs new-look defense that boasts other returning starters such as Reggie Ragland, Anthony Hitchens, and Kendall Fuller.

After a monster 2018 in which Jones collected 15.5 sacks and 29 quarterback hits, Jones will be expected to continue wreaking havoc on opposing offenses in 2019. And since the Chiefs are relying on new starters at every other spot along the defensive line next season, Jones must lead the way.

Additionally, 2019 is Jones’ walk-year. Hopefully, he can work out a new long-term deal with Kansas City before then, but if not, expect the franchise tag to be used once again.

This time, though, don’t expect a trade. Jones, a second-round pick out of Mississippi State back in 2016, looks to be the cornerstone of Spagnuolo’s defense. The Chiefs need to do everything they can to keep him around for the foreseeable future.

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