Arrowhead Pride
On Wednesday, Kansas City’s longest-tenured defender reflected on teammates past and present.
At the end of the 2025 season, Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones will have completed a decade in pro football.
As he continues preparations for his tenth NFL season during training camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, the face of Kansas City’s defense is focused on enjoying the moment: the time he spends with his teammates.
“You never know how many more of these training camps you’ve got, as players,” Jones acknowledged during his turn with the media on Wednesday. “Naturally, we want this to last forever, but physically, the body takes a toll. Over time, you get to see that the younger guys are faster, you’re a little slower, and you don’t move the same. So, you’ve definitely got to cherish these moments, cherish these individuals that you get to battle with every day — and enjoy the process.”
One of the individuals that Jones cherishes is third-year defensive end George Karlaftis, who signed a four-year contract extension just before the start of camp. The former Purdue star is now under contract with the Chiefs through 2030.
“You watch over the years how he’s progressed and how his game has grown,” said Jones of his teammate. “I’m so proud to have my boy back for the next five to six years. He worked his butt off for it. He didn’t take any shortcuts and didn’t cut any corners. I’m super proud. He’s been all-in — and the Chiefs did right by him.”
The veteran also finds himself sharing a room with one of the younger, faster players who might eventually replace him: rookie defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott. Jones is impressed with the first-year player’s combination of size and speed.
“These guys in college are built different now,” he observed. “You’ve got a guy like Omarr — 315 [pounds] who can run like a 4.7 or 4.8 [40-yard dash]. That’s just what the game is at right now.”
In addition to his physical tools, Jones is also high on his new teammate’s play.
“He’s young, but he has a lot of raw talent,” he reported. “He’s going to be a great asset for the D-line. He can rush the passer. He’s quick out of his stance. He’s got to work on his techniques and fundamentals, but I think he’s going to be a great asset for us this upcoming season.”
This week also provided an example of why Jones is concerned about how many training camps he might have left. On Tuesday, former Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu — who was with the team from 2019 through 2021, earning two All-Pro nods while anchoring the defense in the team’s Super Bowl LIV win — unexpectedly announced his retirement from the New Orleans Saints.
Earlier this week, Jones had a conversation with defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo about the change in culture when Mathieu — known to his friends as “T5” — first joined the team....
