How an Unknown Jaguars Rookie Upstaged the Chiefs on MNF

Jonah Monheim steps up

Late into Monday Night Football, the Jacksonville Jaguars suffered a huge injury blow. In a game where they didn't have Travon Walker, saw second-overall pick Travis Hunter Jr. limp off to the sidelines, and lost Brenton Strange due to a hip issue, having center Robert Hainsey exit was less than ideal, to say the least.

The Jaguars signed Hainsey in the offseason, and he's been a huge part of the offensive line's vast improvements this year. His departure left a huge hole in the trenches, one that Kansas City Chiefs star defensive tackle Chris Jones threatened to blow wide open en route to torturing Trevor Lawrence throughout the remainder of the night.

Thankfully, Jacksonville had rookie Jonah Monheim waiting in the flanks. The Jaguars selected him with the 221st pick in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He filled in admirably for Hainsey and made sure that his team didn't miss a beat on the way to a thrilling comeback victory. Left tackle Walker Little spoke to Jacksonville media about Monheim's performance:

“Jonah, through the first 5 weeks being a rookie, is already a great pro. He was ready to go, ready to step in. In a big game like that, Monday Night Football, it's not an easy situation for anybody, much alone a guy that it's your fifth game in the NFL. So, that was huge for us, though, especially at the end there, pressure-packed situation, two-minute drill to win the game against the Chiefs, and he did a great job and led us and communicated well. So, I can't say enough about Jonah.”