f.’Aaron Donald would never’ — Chiefs DT Chris Jones under fire for poor effort on Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence’s stumbling TD run.f
Oct 7, 2025 8:00 AM EDT
Kansas City Chiefs DT Chris Jones is coming under fire after an egregious display of poor effort on what would turn out to be a game-deciding play in the 31-28 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
With just 30 seconds remaining and a goal-to-go situation, Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence fumbled the snap and fell. If it were any other team besides the Chiefs, this results in a sack at the very least, if not a turnover. But for Kansas City, set it to the Benny Hill Theme and watch sheer chaos ensue.
The music doesn’t distract from the fact that Jones practically gave up on the play the moment the ball was snapped. He was as much an observer as every fan in the stadium or sitting on their couches in front of the TV. His response to it all doesn’t make it much better, either.
“I thought multiple times we had him,” Jones told reporters after the game. “We’ve just got to finish. We’ve got to finish. We had multiple guys there that we just got to finish that play. It was a fluke play for him to be able to break that many tackles. But, yeah, I think I put it on us as a defense. We got to finish. You know, we got to bring him down on that.”
He’s part of the defense, but calling the play a fluke is hardly taking accountability for what transpired. While there were plenty of critics on social media, former Broncos CB Aqib Talib had some choice words for Jones’ effort.
The heat was so much on social media that Jones apparently deleted his X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram accounts.
Sure, Jones faced one of the best interior offensive lines in football on Monday, with the Jaguars’ group allowing one of the lowest pressure rates in the league. He was mauled and double-teamed throughout the game, contributing to the fatigue and exhaustion in this moment, but that’s why the Chiefs practice long-drive drills for weeks on end in St. Joe during training camp.
Yes, he tragically lost a close family member two weeks ago and deserves some grace for that. But he even said that football is his escape.
But let’s not pretend Jones was without help this week. His defensive teammates produced three sacks, seven QB hits, an interception, a forced fumble, and more. And he stood by as an observer and let them play 10 vs. 11 on what would become the biggest play of the game.
Is Chiefs DT Chris Jones living up to his contract in 2025?
Jones signed a five-year, $158.75 million contract in March of 2024, securing his place as one of the highest-paid defensive tackles in football. Through the first five games of the 2025 NFL season, he’s certainly not producing at the level he’s used to. The reality is that he’s pacing for what would rank as the worst statistical season since his rookie campaign in 2016.
Chiefs DT Chris Jones’ 2025 NFL Season Stats Through 5 Games:
- Tackles: 7
- Tackles for loss: 4
- Sacks: 1
- QB hits: 6
Does the team have a problem with the 31-year-old All-Pro? There’s definitely still time for him to turn things around this season. However, this play or lack thereof is something that’s going to follow him around until he manages to turn the corner.
About the author
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Charles Goldman is an NFL Managing Editor for A to Z Sports. He has been covering the Kansas City Chiefs for a decade.
The Kansas City Chiefs have to get bold and go after this free agent pass-rusher.
NFL Managing Editor
Oct 7, 2025 6:20 PM EDT
The Kansas City Chiefs have a pass-rushing problem, and those issues are rarely solved with midseason acquisitions, whether it’s a free-agent addition or a trade. That said, the Chiefs shouldn’t sit on their hands when a real opportunity presents itself.
After missing the 2024 NFL season, Drake Jackson, a former second-round pick by the San Francisco 49ers in 2022, is looking to make his return to the field. Jackson suffered a serious knee injury in November of 2023, spending the entire 2024 NFL season on the PUP list with the 49ers. He was released by San Francisco back in May, finishing his time with the 49ers with 21 total tackles, six sacks, 30 pressures, and an interception in 23 games played.
Finally healthy enough to return to the field, the former USC Trojan is taking visits with NFL teams in search of his next home.
Jackson has already visited the Washington Commanders for a tryout, with visits to the New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens pending. The Ravens, of course, just traded Odafe Oweh to the Los Angeles Chargers, so they’re expected to be strong suitors.
Why the Chiefs need to throw their name in the hat for former 49ers DE Drake Jackson
Heading into the 2025 NFL season, it was clear that the Chiefs could use some edge rush help. After five weeks, it’s painfully apparent that they failed to get the depth and help they needed this offseason.
Chiefs Edge Rush Quick Facts:
- George Karlaftis is the only edge rusher to produce multiple sacks and double-digit pressures through five weeks.
- Charles Omenihu, Mike Danna, and Ashton Gillotte have combined for one sack and 14 total pressures.
This is a rare opportunity for Kansas City, where you can potentially upgrade your edge rusher group at the midseason mark without surrendering any draft capital in a trade. The last thing the team needs is to get itself into another Josh Uche situation, but the risk here is relatively low.
You can add a former top-75 draft pick, who, while coming off a serious knee injury, still has loads of potential long-term. Jackson is only 24 years old, and he actually fits Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo’s mold, listed at 6-foot-4 and 275 pounds. At worst, Jackson is still working his way back from the knee injury and doesn’t make an impact in 2025, but it’s worth a roll of the dice given how the edge rushers have performed in Kansas City this season. Just look at how things worked out for WR Tyquan Thornton, a former second-round draft pick who joined the Chiefs’ practice squad last season.
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