The Kansas City Chiefs have the best quarterback in the game.
Patrick Mahomes is already a future first-ballot Hall of Famer, and some believe he has a legitimate chance to tie or even pass Tom Brady once it’s all said and done.
However, as spectacular as he’s been, the Chiefs wouldn’t have been able to win back-to-back Super Bowls without their championship-caliber defense.
Likewise, that defense wouldn’t been nearly as dominant if it wasn’t for Chris Jones.
That’s why NFL analyst Dan Graziano doesn’t see a path for a three-peat if the star DT isn’t there next season.
Talking on ESPN’s Get Up, he stated that Jones is their second most important player and the only other irreplaceable player on that team.
“He’s their second most important player, honestly, after the quarterback,” Graziano said.
.@DanGrazianoESPN doesn’t believe the Chiefs can three-peat without Chris Jones:
“He’s their second most important player, honestly, after the quarterback.” pic.twitter.com/9zBrTW2V4j
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) February 19, 2024
That’s a valid statement.
The Chiefs struggled defensively in the lone game he sat out due to his stand off with the team over his contract situation.
They could try to get him to play under the franchise tag this season, but that seems highly unlikely.
He’s already proven that he’s serious about getting paid and getting a big-time contract, and they cannot afford to get on his bad side at this point.
The Chiefs are on the verge of making history, and Jones could play a pivotal role in that.
He’s one of the best defensive linemen in the league, perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate, and they simply won’t be able to replace him in free agency or in the NFL Draft now, maybe ever.
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