There are plenty of interesting rumors about potential changes the Kansas City Chiefs might make, and one of the more inflammatory ones is the possibility of trading defensive tackle Chris Jones.
It sounds wild when you first hear or read it, but it’s not a total hot take. Jones’ production has declined dramatically, and the Chiefs finished tied for 22nd in the NFL in sacks with just 35, according to Braden Holecek of Arrowhead Addict, who took a run at the possibility. That’s not a formula for success in a defense coached by Steve Spagnuolo, and at this point it looks like Spagnuolo will be back given that he hasn’t landed a head coaching position so far.
One point Holecek makes is that the Chiefs aren’t opposed to making big moves when necessary. They did trade Tyreek Hill, after all, but the difference with Jones is his contract. Jones’ recent extension runs through 2028, and he’s also over 30. Add those things up and you’ve got a Day 2 pick for a player who’s going to be difficult to replace.
The numbers tell an analogous story. Jones’ last big season was 2023, when he had 10.5 sacks, but he’s just had 12 in the last two seasons. His advanced metrics are better, though, with Pro Football Focus crediting Jones with the third-most pressures among all defensive tackles in 2025, according to Holecek, and he also ranked first in hurries.
Another issue he raised is Jones’ tendency to freelance. He’ll shoot gaps to make plays, which leaves the rest of the defensive vulnerable, and this issue surfaced prominently in Kansas City’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. A lot of teams are starting to attack Jones straight up, and he’s beginning to lose some of those battles.
The cap numbers are an important consideration as well. If the Chiefs trade Jones before June, they’d have to absorb a $29.25 cap hit in dead money, but if they want until after June 1, the cap hit goes down to $9.75 million and the Chiefs would save $35.1 million in their cap calculations.
The final point Holecek raises is about GM Brett Veach. He’s not a GM who goes big on older players, and Veach has other issues to worry about with half his secondary about to hit free agency. It’s unlikely that Kansas City would make a move this dramatic, but it’s certainly not out of the realm of possibility.