The Kansas City Chiefs have a difficult decision to make when it comes to the future of star pass rusher Chris Jones. After a failed 2025 season and failed to be over the projected salary cap, there is every reason for GM Brett Veach to think outside the box. This includes parting ways with an interior lineman who has fallen far below production expectations since being given a massive extension in March 2024 worth nearly $160 million. In the nearly two seasons since being extended Jones has offered fewer quarterback hits and only a combined 9.0 sacks.
This pales in comparison to the 10.5 sacks in 2023 or the 15.5 that Jones piled up in the 2022 season. No question, the lineman's production doesn't match his contract and demands that the Chiefs make a change. If Kansas City did opt to trade the defender, the franchise would open up an additional $35 million in cap space, this points out the very real possibility that Jones is playing his final games in a Chiefs uniform.
Already, franchise legend Travis Kelce appears ready to walk away, and you're entering the unknown with Patrick Mahomes working his way back from an ACL tear. Never has there been a better time to retool the roster and attempt to bring in new impact players around the leadership of head coach Andy Reid and Mahomes. This sets up Jones ' exit and opens up the needed space for the Chiefs to bring in a star edge rusher, something that is clearly missing from the franchise.
Chiefs Should Part Ways with Chris Jones After Performance No Longer Matches Massive Extension
Whether it is the security of the contract or simply regression due to the physical toll of Jones' style of play, there simply isn't any debating that the contract isn't matching the level of play. If the Chiefs are serious about keeping the dynasty alive, this should be the defender's final Christmas in KC.
As complicated a subject as it might be for a star that has won three Super Bowls with the franchise, it is the reality of the difficult decisions that must be made. Jones is no longer providing as much value as his contract demands. This makes it completely possible that this will be the final two games of his KC career.
Drastic moves are called for after the franchise missed the playoffs for the first time in the Mahomes era. Jones needs to be jettisoned to create the needed cap space to fix what has become a flawed roster.
Jones will still have plenty of trade value based on the consistent need for interior linemen and the veteran's impressive resume. One that Kansas City sees is clearly on the decline and must escape before they no longer have the option.