Free agent running back Ronald Jones had other offers, but he felt the Kansas City Chiefs were the best fit.
“I just thought they were the most Super-Bowl ready team now to get back there and get my second ring,” Jones said at mandatory minicamp. “That played a big factor, too. And obviously the quarterback, the system, the coaches. It just fits running backs, and the type of scheme.”
Jones, who spent the last four seasons in Tampa Bay, signed a team-friendly 1-year, $1.5 million contract with the Chiefs in March. The Chiefs were looking for depth with Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s injury history and they opted to not bring back Darrel Williams, who led the team in rushing last season.
Jones, who rushed for 978 yards in 2020, eventually lost playing time to Leonard Fournette. And last season, Jones rushed for just 428 yards on 101 carries and was deemed expendable. Now Jones sees a nice fit in Kansas City along with Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon, among others.
“It’s a long season,” Jones said. “So it’s going to take more than just one guy and I think that’s what I’m looking forward to — a 1-2-3 punch, if you will.”
Where Jones fits exactly in the pecking order remains to be seen. But the 5-foot-11, 208-pounder believes his skillset will help the Chiefs offense. Jones has shown the ability to be a power runner and caught a combined 59 passes in 2019 and 2020.
“I think they’re going to translate well,” Jones said. “A lot of similarities to what I’ve done in the past down in Tampa. Now it’s just correlating it and getting the rest of the playbook down so I can get ready for the season.”
In Andy Reid’s offense, you have to expect anything. And Jones said don’t be surprised if the Chiefs utilize him on the edge some as a receiver.
“Coach has got me lining out wide and things like that,” Jones said. “Just the things that they do on offense in order to get on the field, I’m going to have to do some of that work. So that’d be cool, too. I’m always down for that.”
Jones will also be required to pass block for Patrick Mahomes — an important part of the Chiefs offense.
“I’m definitely working on it,” Jones said. “Going forward I got to learn new pass protection concepts. And yeah, you got to keep the quarterback up. That’s No. 1.
“You just have to see where the blitz is coming from. And they do a good job of giving us keys. It’s all new, but I’ve been in the league for a while now.”
