Kansas City Chiefs defensive linemen Jerry Tillery (99) and Chris Jones (95) participate in … More
In the home office of Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones, he has the helmets from the Super Bowls he won on one shelf and helmets from the Super Bowls he lost on another.
Though he unfortunately has to make room for one more helmet from a Super Bowl loss, Super Bowl LIV has provided motivation.
“Especially dealing with a loss in the Super Bowl, I wanted to get right back at it,” Jones said after Tuesday’s minicamp practice. “Not only losing but losing the way we did … A lot of people in the building feel like we could’ve done better. We feel like we’re better.”
In that 40-22 drubbing at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles, few Chiefs — outside of Xavier Worthy — played well, and that includes Jones. The three-time All-Pro did not record a sack, tackle or assist.
Regardless, the six-time Pro Bowler remains one of the best defensive linemen in the game. While lining up mostly on the interior but also at end, he has 80.5 career sacks.
“Chris Jones rushing the passer is really something to behold,” said new Chiefs defensive tackle Jerry Tillery. “He’s gifted physically.”
The Chiefs signed Tillery, a first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft who has played with Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders and is trying to get Jones to join him on the golf course, to a one-year, $1.8 million contract.
In addition to Tillery, the Chiefs emphasized bolstering the defensive line in the draft, spending two of their first three picks on defensive linemen Omarr Norman-Lott and Ashton Gillotte, respectively.
“We’ve got a lot of new guys coming in,” Jones said. “It’s fun.”
That not only has Jones enthusiastic for the season, but he also wanted to set an example for his younger linemates at minicamp.
But it’s not like Jones, who will turn 31 next month and is entering his 10th NFL season and seventh in defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme, needs the extra reps to learn the defensive system.
“He knows the game, this defense, like the back of his hand,” Tillery said. “And that allows you to play freer and have your best stuff everyday.”
Jones sat out the offseason two years ago as he sought a new deal.
There were concerns that Trey Smith — on whom the Chiefs have placed the franchise tag but not reached a long-term contract — would boycott offseason practices as well.
But the right guard, who turned 26 on Monday, attended minicamp.
“It’s good that Trey didn’t take my approach,” Jones said, laughing. “I did things a little different.”
After their second consecutive Super Bowl title, though, the Chiefs ended up rewarding Jones with a five-year, $158.75 million contract, including $95 million in guarantees.
That total value and $31.75 million average annual value both rank first among interior defensive linemen.
The contract goes through 2028 and likely means Jones can retire as a Chief and remain the defense’s linchpin.
“I’m blessed to be working with him everyday,” Tillery said. “I’m looking forward to doing that.”
