Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones stuck on half a sack through seven games
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The gist
Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones has 13 tackles and 0.5 sacks through seven games in 2026.
Kansas City has no backup plan for its top-paid defender.
Background
Chris Jones is a Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle described in the material as the league's top-paid defensive tackle; he turned 32 in July. The Chiefs' 20-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks put the pass rush under a critical eye, with Jones's lack of sacks a focus. The material says there is no backup plan for when Jones isn't producing like himself, and the Chiefs have no choice but to keep him in his current role.
How it unfolded
- Oct 5, 2026Jones said the Chiefs were 'close' to more sacks, with the team having just four through three games.
- Oct 29, 2026Coming out of the Seahawks loss, Jones had half a sack, three quarterback hits and one tackle for loss through six games.
- Nov 1, 2026Jones spoke to the media after the Chiefs' Week 8 game against the Denver Broncos.
- Nov 3, 2026Coach Andy Reid said Jones is giving his all; Jones had 13 total tackles, one tackle for loss, three QB hits and a half-sack through seven games, and was blanked on the stat sheet in each of the Chiefs' last two losses.
Who’s saying what
- Player
- Jones said there is 'room for progression,' that he hasn't reached his sack number, and that 'it's not how you start. It's how you finish.'
- Player
- After the Week 8 loss Jones put the pass-rush shortfall on the defensive line, saying 'we've got to win our one-on-ones.'
- Coach
- Andy Reid said Jones is giving his all and that the line has been doing a good job getting pressure, but 'you've just got to get to the quarterback.'