The Kansas City Chiefs’ Chris Jones has been doing some reflecting during the bye week. The defensive tackle, who is known to carry the team’s defensive line through injuries and anchor the offense, has been under scrutiny for a while due to subpar production. And the bye opened the conversation for the Chiefs to improve the defense after the offense had just settled with Rashee Rice’s return. In response to Andy Reid’s call for action and belief in Jones, he shared a strong and crisp message that displayed his commitment to the franchise.

Jones posted an Instagram story featuring a black and white image of a watch with the words “On God’s Timing,” engraved on the back. The message feels crucial for the veteran this season. Entering Year 10, Jones has long been a bedrock for Kansas City’s interior defensive front, consistently drawing double teams and disrupting blockers.  

According to team records, he amassed 75.5 career sacks by the end of 2023 second-most among NFL defensive tackles since 2016. He recorded 15.5 sacks in both 2018 and 2022, and 10.5 in 2023. Jones’s reliability has anchored the franchise through three Super Bowl wins, and he has established himself as a six-time All-Pro member and a six-time Pro Bowler.

Why it matters to the team is that the Chiefs’ defense, ranked second in the league in points allowed in 2023, slipped to 9th in total yards allowed in 2024 and saw its sack total shrink noticeably. This has also raised questions among many across the league about the Chiefs being a threat this season due to the inconsistency in performance. 

Chris Jones’s Instagram message may signal a personal reset, an internal acknowledgement that he trusts the process. After head coach Andy Reid publicly stressed the need for “consistency” across the roster, including from his veteran anchor.

Andy Reid’s message to the Chiefs to “be better’

Andy Reid didn’t mince words when addressing the performance of Chris Jones and the defensive unit. Reid believes the veteran interior-pass-rusher has the talent and work ethic. Now, he says, he must bring consistent effort. 

“I think we all need to do better. I would say that Chris is always striving to do better every day. That’s what’s made him such a good player. He’s the guy that they’re (opposing offenses) going to focus on. If we’re getting a double team, that’s who’s (Jones) getting doubled. He’ll get his as we go forward. It’s just important that he stays consistent and keeps working hard,” Andy Reid said.

Since entering the league in 2016, he has posted multiple seasons of double-digit sacks, logged hundreds of pressures and quarterback hits. In 2024, he led all interior defenders in pressures with 88 and finished with a PFF grade over 90.2 for the sixth time in seven seasons.

Reid noted that, opposing offenses zero in on Chris Jones, because they respect his disruptive ability. If the double teams continue, Jones will still find his opportunities but only if the grind stays steady and the focus remains sharp. 

Through the early stretch of 2025, Jones has only two sacks and six solo tackles well below his standard. His decline correlates with a slide in the Chiefs’ defensive ranking, particularly in pressure and sack totals. Multiple injuries and schematic adjustments especially increased double-teams around him have blunted his impact. Utilizing his effectiveness in blitzes could also help Jones re-establish himself this season. Reid expects him to reclaim his dominant form and help pull the defense back to its elite standing.