Not so long ago, Kansas City Chiefs fans were pushing the team to pay Chris Jones. He was one of the most disruptive defensive forces in the game, someone who could wreak havoc in the interior or line up on the edge to get to the quarterback.
The years have gone by, and Super Bowls have been won, but at nearly 32 years of age, Jones is no longer at the peak of his powers. However, it would be hard to name many defensive linemen better than him, even at this somewhat lesser point in his career.
That's why Pete Prisct's latest player rankings felt so disrespectful. The CBS Sports analyst listed the 100 best players in the game, and he had Jones at No. 62. That's behind players like Quinnen Williams (54), Leonard Williams (59), and Cameron Heyward (39):
"He's not the player he was a few years ago, but he's still capable of being a force inside. The sack numbers have declined in recent years, and he hasn't had double-digit sacks since 2023," Prisco wrote.
Chris Jones will have to prove the doubters wrong in 2026
Even in a down year, Chris Jones was much better than the average defensive tackle. His sole presence draws eleven pairs of eyeballs on every snap, and he's certainly not high on the list to blame for the Chiefs' lack of pass-rushing success.
George Karlaftis and the Chiefs' pass-rushers have failed to make the most of Jones' presence in the interior. And while there were some instances of questionable effort -- or lack thereof -- he's still an elite player.
PFF gave Jones the second-highest pass-rushing grade among 134 eligible linemen (90.7). He logged 7.0 sacks, 29 total tackles (15 solo), 12 tackles for loss, 25 QB hits, and two passes defensed. All in all, he registered 63 total pressures, the third-most in the league.
The Chiefs have become the team everybody loves to hate, and it looks like the national media was just waiting for their opportunity to pounce and tear this team apart. Make no mistake, the Chiefs are still one of the teams to beat, and they have more than enough resources to prove it.
The Chiefs added plenty of firepower to their defense this offseason. Rookie speed rusher R Mason Thomas will give them another versatile piece to move around the line of scrimmage, and his presence should also keep Karlaftis on his toes, knowing that he has to step up.
As for Jones, he's a fierce competitor with added pressure on his shoulders. He's heard all the noise and is keeping all the receipts. And after coming off a poor season by his standards, you better believe he's thirsty for revenge.
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