The Kansas City Chiefs are entering the 2024 offseason in an enviable position. As back-to-back champions, the team secured dynasty status with their win over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII and will seek to keep as much talent on its payroll as possible heading into their next title defense campaign.
One key player that the Chiefs can’t afford to lose is veteran defensive lineman Chris Jones, who earned the fifth-best Pro Football Focus grade among all interior defenders for his efforts in 2023.
It was another dominant season for Chris Jones đź’Ą pic.twitter.com/ojFnYXzGAl
— PFF KC Chiefs (@PFF_Chiefs) February 19, 2024
Jones has been a key cog in Kansas City’s defense since joining the Chiefs as a second-round draft pick in 2016. His ability to wreak havoc on opposing offensive lines is unparalleled, and without his presence on Kansas City’s front-four, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will have his hands full trying to generate a pass rush next season.
The Chiefs used their franchise tag on Jones last year, and may have to resort to using it again if general manager Brett Veach can’t work out a long-term deal for the star lineman in the coming months.