The Kansas City Chiefs boast a wealth of Hall of Fame-worthy talent, with offensive stars Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes leading the way. However, last season, the defense and first-team All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones propelled the team to their third Super Bowl appearance in five years, establishing a potential dynasty. The defense performed exceptionally, a departure from previous years, while the offense struggled to keep pace. Despite the NFL amid the Kansas City era, the recent NFLPA report card portrayed the organization in a less-than-favorable light.
The release of the 2024 NFLPA report card, unleashed shortly after the conclusion of last season, did a number on the Chiefs. The organization earned the grade of ‘F’ in four separate departments, including a laughable ‘F-‘ in ownership. Although now well in the rearview mirror, Kansas City’s inner struggles certainly struck a chord with Jones, as seen during his media session on Wednesday. Jones signed a five-year, $158.75 million deal to return to Kansas City this offseason and went to bat for team owner Clark Hunt.
Kansas City Chiefs DT Chris Jones: Stark Supporter of Team Owner Clark Hunt
Although entering his eighth NFL season in 2023, Chris Jones dominated last year’s competition. Jones tallied 30 tackles, 10.5 sacks, and 13 TFLs while earning first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. The Mississippi State product also shined in the postseason, registering a forced fumble, eight tackles, and two passes defended during the team’s run to their third Super Bowl victory in five years. Jones cashed in this offseason, becoming the NFL’s highest-paid defensive tackle. Additionally, the Kansas City Chiefs navigated potential cap restrictions by keeping their defensive front line mainly intact, much to the pleasure of Jones.
#Chiefs DT Chris Jones was a quote machine today, per usual.
— Charles Goldman (@goldmctNFL) June 12, 2024
Jones spoke to the media on Wednesday, giving team owner Clark Hunt a glowing review for his many offseason moves. “They graded my owner an F, I got two middle fingers for them. He’s an A+ in my book. Brought back Mike Danna, Tershawn Wharton, Mike Pennel. . . we were able to bring a lot of guys back that helped us get there last year,” said Jones. In his praise of Hunt, the pass-rusher trashed the NFLPA’s most recent grade of ‘F-‘ regarding Kansas City’s ownership.
Last season, the trio of Mike Danna, Tershawn Wharton, and Mike Pennel played an instrumental role in the Chiefs winning their second straight Super Bowl. Danna, a former fifth-round pick in 2020, had a breakout season, starting 16 games and posting career-highs in tackles (50), TFLs (13), and sacks (6.5). Meanwhile, Wharton appeared in all 17 regular season games, while Pennel collected 12 tackles in the playoffs. The Chiefs and owner Clark Hunt have primarily taken care of their own, with quarterback Patrick Mahomes midway through a ten-year deal and tight end Travis Kelce signing a two-year, $34 million extension earlier this offseason.
Jones: Retirement Not on Option
Despite entering a newly inked four-year contract, Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones has received no shortage of retirement questions. Entering his age 30-season, Jones has already played in 142 NFL games across eight seasons. With the longevity of NFL players short compared to other sports, Jones fielded a retirement-related question on Wednesday.
“Listen, I don’t think about it, man. Once you think about those types of things, you feed those thoughts. I don’t want my mind to even go that far to the “R” word. But Trav, he’s f****** pretty old. I’m just playin’ Trav; I love you,” said Jones.
Kelce, like Chris Jones, has had his fair share of retirement-connected questions this offseason in spite of being less than three months into a two-year contract extension. Similar to Jones, Kelce has shown no indication of retirement. The tight end posted 93 receptions, 984 yards, and five touchdowns last season.
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