The Kansas City Chiefs have built their modern dynasty around Patrick Mahomes‘ brilliance, but this offseason may test that foundation as uncertainty surrounds whether defensive cornerstone Chris Jones will remain part of the team’s future.
After years as the emotional and tactical anchor of the defense, the veteran lineman is suddenly at the center of speculation following a season that fell short of his usual dominance.
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Jones, who turns 32 during the upcoming campaign, has been with Kansas City since 2016 and has played a central role in multiple championship runs. Yet the 2025 season exposed cracks in both his individual performance and the defense as a whole.
He finished with seven sacks and 29 tackles, solid numbers by most standards but noticeably below the elite level that made him one of the most disruptive interior defenders in football.
Draft analyst Matt Miller believes those signs could prompt a bold move. “Chris Jones is getting older,” Miller said. “He could be on the trade market this season.”
A defense searching for answers
Kansas City‘s struggles extended beyond one player. The defensive line produced limited pressure without heavy blitzing, forcing coordinator Steve Spagnuolo to adjust his schemes throughout the year.
Opposing offenses increasingly focused their protection schemes on Jones, daring the rest of the front to win individual matchups.
“If we plan on winning, especially the front four, we’ve got to affect the quarterback,” Jones said after a November loss to Buffalo. “We’ve got to.”
Despite leading the team in sacks and tackles for loss, Jones often faced double teams without consistent support from the edges.
The result was a pass rush that lacked the overwhelming presence it once had during the Chiefs‘ peak seasons. Kansas City ranked near the bottom of the league in third down defense, a statistic that repeatedly limited Mahomes‘ opportunities with the ball.
Financial considerations complicate any decision. Jones signed a massive extension in 2024 that runs through 2028, meaning a trade or release would carry a significant dead cap penalty.
For a franchise already investing heavily in star talent on offense, absorbing that hit would require careful planning.
Offensive questions compound the uncertainty
The potential departure of Jones comes as Kansas City evaluates other key positions, including the running back room.
Isiah Pacheco, a former late round pick who became a vital contributor during two championship runs, is approaching free agency after a season derailed by injuries and declining production.
Pacheco rushed for just 462 yards and one touchdown in 13 games, a sharp drop from his earlier output. Recurring health issues including knee and shoulder problems disrupted his rhythm, leaving the Chiefs searching for more explosiveness in the ground game.
The franchise holds a high selection in the upcoming draft and could target a dynamic runner such as Notre Dame standout Jeremiyah Love, whose breakout college career included more than 1,300 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns in his final season.
Adding a young playmaker would ease pressure on Mahomes while reshaping an offense that relied heavily on the passing game last year.
Meanwhile, Kansas City hopes injured young defenders return stronger, particularly Omarr Norman Lott and Felix Anudike Uzomah, both of whom missed significant time.
Their development could determine whether the team can transition to a new defensive identity if Jones‘ role diminishes.
For now, the Chiefs face a pivotal crossroads. Maintaining continuity has long been a hallmark of their success, but the coming months may demand difficult choices that reshape the roster around Mahomes.
Whether Chris Jones remains at the heart of that vision could define the next chapter of Kansas City football.