Chris Jones Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs finally sign star pass-rusher

The Kansas City Chiefs finally signed star defensive tackle Chris Jones to a new one-year contract on Monday.

"Chris is an elite player in this league, and over the last seven years, he's really developed into a leader on our team," General Manager Brett Veach said in the organization's announcement. 

"He's been instrumental to our success and our Super Bowl championship runs and it was a priority for us to keep him in a Chiefs uniform."

NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that while the new deal doesn't include any additional seasons for Jones, it does have "multiple incentives," that will allow him to increase his earnings if he hits them.

Jones's return will address one of the weaknesses Kansas City displayed in their Week 1 loss to Detroit: rushing the passer.  

Jones accounted for 15.5 sacks and 29 quarterback hits in 2022. But on Thursday night, Kansas City struggled to get after Jared Goff, recording just one sack on four quarterback hits. His presence was also missed on what became the game-winning touchdown run by David Montgomery, who rumbled through a wide-open hole in the middle of the Chiefs defensive line. 

With Jones's services secured for the season, the biggest concern for the Chiefs becomes the health of tight end Travis Kelce. 

Star quarterback Patrick Mahomes kept his team in the game, but two now-infamous drops by wide receiver Kadarius Toney were too much to overcome.

Head coach Andy Reid told the media on Monday that Kelce is "getting better," after picking up a knee injury in practice one day before the season opener. 

"We'll see how he does the rest of today and tomorrow and we'll go from there." 

Kansas City hopes to have both Kelce and Jones available for a Week 2 clash with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who looked rusty but still scored 31 points against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. They'll likely need both in order to avoid starting 0-2 for the first time since 2014.

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