Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones isn’t a big fan of playing in the preseason, especially the opener.
The Chiefs and Rams will begin their preseason slate Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium, but the Rams will not play their starters. Andy Reid and the Chiefs, however, typically play their starters at least some in the preseason, but will likely sit most if not all Saturday.
“Why play the starters?” Jones said Thursday from training camp in St. Joseph, Mo. “There’s so much risk you’re taking to play the starters in preseason. I hope Coach Reid will be like, ‘starters don’t play.’ But also, it’s good to get repetition. But I don’t want to play preseason. I’d rather not play, but if I do have to play, I’m going to buckle up.
“The mentality is I want to play against their starters. I want to play against the guys who’s going to be starting on Sunday because you like to weigh yourself out, where I’m at, where I can improve, and give me your best helmet. So it can change the dynamic. But anytime we get on that field you’ve to give your best.”
The Chiefs, of course, won’t play quarterback Patrick Mahomes on Saturday and probably all preseason, as he is coming off knee surgery, but looks like he’ll be ready for the regular season.
The Chiefs have been known for having one of the toughest training camps in the NFL, and with the heat and tough practices, Jones said the team is building character and it will show in the regular season.
“I think adversity builds character,” Jones said. “I’ve always been a big believer of that. And with the heat and back-to-back days with pads on, and we’re kind of tired of hitting each other. And these are the days to battle through it. Later on during the season, Week 12 or 13 and your body starts talking to you, it’s mind over matter. And I think that’s what we’re building right now.”
