Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones is off to one of the best starts of his career. But Jones says his teammates are paving the way for his success.
“I’m super grateful for the guys in the room,” Jones said Wednesday as the Chiefs began preparations for Sunday’s 3:25 p.m. game against the Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium. “We have an unselfish group that allows me to play free and be free amongst the defensive line, and I’m very grateful for that.
“I think it’s more weekly prep where I can get an advantage at, and the guys all buying in allow me to do that. I think it’s a collective effort.”
Jones sat out all of training camp and the team’s first game of the season amid a contract dispute but since returning on a one-year deal, he has been creating havoc once again. Jones has 5.5 sacks and 11 quarterback hits this season.
Jones said some of his success can be attributed to having fresh legs since he didn’t have to go through the rigors of training camp.
“I’m proud to not have had to go to training camp,” Jones said with a laugh. “I can’t speak for everybody else, but I feel really damn good right now.”
Though listed as a defensive tackle, Jones has had much of his success sacking the quarterback while playing on the edge this season. Jones said defensive line coach Joe Cullen has helped him take another step while playing in Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme.
Jones said Cullen and Spagnuolo are constantly communicating with him to find the perfect matchup the Chiefs defense can exploit not only in practice but on gameday as well.
“I think it’s a mutual agreement on both ends,” Jones said. “Transparency is key, watching film, them understanding how you like to rush, where you like to rush from, and them trying to put you in the best position to get that rush and also getting the guys to accept it.”
Jones has recorded a sack in eight straight games dating back to last season. In 2018, Jones had a sack in 11 straight games — an NFL record — on his way to 15.5 sacks on the season. Jones also had 15.5 sacks last season.
Watching Jones perform at a high level from the interior and edge of the defensive line has made Chiefs coach Andy Reid marvel at Jones’ talent.
“Somebody that’s as good as he is you’ve got to move him around a little bit because they know they’ve got to slow him down,” Reid said. “So, if you move him around that helps him. And he’s a good enough athlete where you can do that, and he has a good enough feel for things.
“Not everybody can do that, but he gives you that flexibility. So that’s what Spags and Joe do. They give him opportunities outside and inside and mix it up a little bit. This is what he’s been the last few years. He’s grown up before our eyes, and I think he’s taking it serious. The last few years he’s taken it very serious on the skill of both spots and his job.”
While the Chiefs (5-1) lead the AFC West, the Chargers (2-3) are coming off a loss to the Cowboys on Monday Night Football. Still, Jones expects the rivalry game to go down to the wire.
“We know it’s going to be a dogfight,” Jones said. “It’s a division game, and I’m excited and looking forward to it.”
