Arrowhead Pride
Chris Jones talks pass rush, Charles Omenihu’s impact and the challenges of a short week.
Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones is never short on insight regarding the art of sacking quarterbacks, team dynamics and the grind of the NFL schedule.
As the Chiefs prepare to face the Las Vegas Raiders, Jones shared his thoughts on the state of the defense, the return of versatile lineman Charles Omenihu and the challenges of playing on a short week.
The Chiefs’ defensive line has been disruptive all season, but Jones acknowledges there’s room for improvement in finishing plays.
“We’re right there, man. Just finishing,” Jones said, reflecting on the team’s recent performance. “We got a lot of good rushes on film. Over the weeks, getting close to the quarterback, touching him, hitting him. Pressures, hurries. We just got to get him down.”
Heading into Sunday’s matchup against the Raiders, the focus remains on turning those near-misses into impactful sacks. Jones emphasized the importance of teamwork and relentless effort.
“We just got to continue to rush, be relentless, and rush together. I think we can continue to build from that,” he added.
One key boost to the Chiefs’ defensive line has been the return of Charles Omenihu. The 6-foot-5 pass rusher brings a unique skill set that complements Jones and the rest of the unit.
“Charles’ versatility going inside and out adds another level of depth to our defense, especially [on the] D-line,” Jones explained. “He’s a pass rusher, so it’s always good to get more pass rushers on the field…so we can get the quarterback down eventually.”
Omenihu’s ability to move across the line gives the Chiefs more flexibility in their schemes, something Jones appreciates as they prepare for a physical Raiders offensive line.
The Thanksgiving week matchup means less rest and preparation time, a challenge Jones admits can be difficult for players who rely on structured recovery routines.
“I’d rather just play on Sunday. Not these Thursday, Friday games,” Jones said candidly. “Not enough rest time, but I get it. It was allocated for this spot. It’s challenging at points.”
For Jones, the condensed schedule disrupts his rhythm, but the veteran tackle remains focused on the task at hand.
“I have a recovery routine throughout the week that my body kind of gets used to, so you have to kind of speed everything up,” he explained.
As the Chiefs head into this AFC West showdown, Jones’ comments highlight a team determined to refine its craft. From enhancing their pass-rush execution to maximizing the impact of returning players like Omenihu, Kansas City is poised to make a statement.
While the holiday schedule may add a wrinkle, the Chiefs’ defense, led by Jones, is locked in on making life difficult for the Raiders’ offense.
