Defensive lineman Chris Jones is the focal point of the Kansas City Chiefs defense. He’s constantly double teamed, and it would be easy to let frustration set in sometimes when he goes weeks without getting a sack.
But Jones looks at it a different way. Even when he’s not sacking the quarterback, he’s still contributing in an impactful way — helping his teammates along the defensive line succeed.
“This is a selfless group,” Jones said Thursday as the Chiefs prepped for their game against the Eagles on Monday Night Football at Arrowhead Stadium. “It’s not about names. It’s not about numbers either. I think people get caught up.
“It’s not about stats to magnify how important these guys are. They’re having a good year so far, but the importance of how they’ve been to this defense and the success of this defense — the numbers go beyond that.”
While Jones and George Karlaftis get more recognition, Mike Danna, Derrick Nnadi and Tershawn Wharton have all made solid contributions. And recently, so has Charles Omenihu, who was suspended for the first six games.
Karlaftis leads the team in sacks with 6 while Jones and Danna are tied for second with 5.5. Danna also leads the team in tackles for loss with 6. Their production, of course, is somewhat aided by the attention Jones gets from the opposition. Jones, however, is happy for their success.
“As a player, it’s not what you do,” Jones said. “It’s how you make players around you better. Kobe Bryant emphasized on that. For him, it was going to come. But more importantly just making guys around him better, and that’s what I emphasize on. Just making sure George has a career-year, making sure Mike has a career-year. That gives me assignment because I feel like I contribute to that a lot. I put in a lot of energy, and I invest a lot into those guys. And to see them succeed beyond what you guys expected or what they expected brings joy to me.”
Jones, who sat out all of training camp and missed the season opener because of a contract dispute, hasn’t recorded a sack in his last three games. Chiefs coach Andy Reid, however, says Jones is still at the top of his game.
“Chris will get his when it’s all said and done,” Reid said. “He does so much for us attitude-wise and play-wise.”
The Chiefs (7-2) have had success holding their opponents’ top receiver in check this season as L’Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie have been lockdown corners thus far. They’ll face another challenge against Eagles receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, but Reid said the key to slowing them down is the big guys at the line of scrimmage.
“I think it starts up front,” Reid said. “We have a couple no-names up there. They don’t get a lot of credit. Mike Danna being one of them, and he’s playing really good football right now. George is a year improved and playing really good football. Nnadi gets no credit. I don’t think he wants the credit, but he’s a stout player inside. And Charles Omenihu is coming on. He hasn’t been here the whole time but that’s a nice addition to the mix.”
The Chiefs defensive line will look to slow down the Eagles offense as quarterback Jalen Hurts can make plays with his arm and legs. Hurts is especially dangerous in short-yardage situations where the Brotherly Shove has become quite common for the Eagles (8-1).
Jones, though, said the Chiefs may have a trick or two up their sleeve in defending against it.
“We’ll have to figure something out,” Jones said. “They’re so good at it, and it’s a rugby-style play. Unfortunately, we haven’t watched any rugby style of play of defense yet. But we’ll figure something out.”
