CMA Awards 2023: 10 Chiefs Midseason Arrowhead Awards
By Joe Summers
9. The "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" Chiefs Player of the Year - Chris Jones, DE
Jones' lengthy holdout stretched into the season as his team negotiated for a massive contract extension that never came. He eventually joined the Chiefs on a one-year deal, but it's become clear this is his final season in Kansas City.
This isn't an indictment of Jones' performance. He has 5.5 sacks with three deflected passes and 18 QB pressures, consistently drawing double-teams and making other defenders' jobs easier.
That being said, Karlaftis and McDuffie's breakouts change the calculus moving forward. Brett Veach should prioritize a younger defensive core, leaving Jones as the odd man out.
Chris Jones with the Dan Dierdorf "Bonehead Play" pf the day award
β ααO α΄OOTα·α©αͺαͺ αOαααα©αͺ π (@NFL_Journal) November 5, 2023
13th 15-yard penalty in career (though one he didn't deserved in 2023)#MIAvsKC #DolphinsvsChiefs #ChiefsKingdom #Finsup pic.twitter.com/fxtSFNnXW4
Jones hasn't helped himself in recent weeks. His unacceptable personal foul late against the Dolphins immediately led to a TD and his overall box score impact hasn't been significant.
He's one of the greatest Chiefs ever, so let's enjoy this final few months. It pains me to say, Chris, but we are never ever ever getting back together.