The Kansas City Chiefs’ defense just posted one of the best seasons in team history, with Chris Jones leading the way. Still, despite the unit’s rise, some around the league think Jones, now 31, is starting to slip.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler surveyed NFL executives, scouts, and coaches for their top 10 players at each position. In the defensive tackle rankings released July 8, Chris Jones dropped to No. 2, replaced by Giants lineman Dexter Lawrence. The move reflects concerns about Jones’ durability and production as he ages, despite his continued impact.
Chris Jones continues to play at a high level, but many no longer view him as the league’s top defensive tackle. One coach, speaking anonymously to ESPN, went as far as to call him “an increasingly one-dimensional” pass-rusher.
“Best DTs in the league take over the run and pass, and there were moments where you didn’t notice [Jones] much,” noted the coach, according to Fowler. “The best at that position crash the game no matter what.”
Chris Jones with the Chiefs
Jones remains a top pass rusher, but his run defense has slipped. He posted 17 and 13 tackles for loss in 2022 and 2023, but that dropped to 9 last season. Pro Football Focus gave him a 64.3 run defense grade, ranking him 38th among interior linemen. His 22 stops ranked 36th.
Still, Jones’ 64.3 run defense grade marked an improvement from his 59.5 in 2023. He also recorded 22 stops, one more than the previous year. Meanwhile, Dexter Lawrence has earned a run defense grade of at least 81.9 every season since 2022 while also producing as a pass rusher. He finished with 9 sacks last season, compared to Jones’ 5, despite playing three fewer games and logging 219 fewer snaps.
Fowler predicts that the Chiefs will limit Jones’ snaps in 2025 due to his age. The team’s offseason actions back up this idea. Although Kansas City lost rising star Tershawn Wharton, they fortified their defensive line by signing veteran Jerry Tillery in free agency and selecting Omar Norman-Lott in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Chiefs defense thrived in 2024, though the pass rush faltered, particularly during Jones’ inconsistent campaign. Offensively, the Chiefs are banking on a bounce-back year from Rashee Rice and Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, who are both expected to return in 2025 after a quiet season.
Ultimately, the debate over Chris Jones comes down to fine margins. As he enters his 10th NFL season, he’s still a high-level player. Whether he can reclaim elite status in 2025 remains to be seen, but a strong year could help him regain the top spot in next summer’s rankings.
