Kansas City Chiefs outspoken defensive tackle Chris Jones has faced Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel twice, with both times coming during the 2023 season.
The Chiefs won both times, but McDaniel left a solid impression on Jones.
Chiefs’ Chris Jones Sends 2-Word Reaction to Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel’s Contract Extension
Chris Jones’ Chiefs Have Had the Upper Hand on the Dolphins
The Dolphins signed the third-year head coach to a multi-year contract extension that can lock him in through the 2028 season, per ESPN’s Jeff Darlington on August 30.
“Very deserving!” Jones posted on X on August 30.
Breaking News: Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel has signed a new contract that extends him through the 2028 season, sources said.
Under McDaniel, the Dolphins had the top-ranked offense in the NFL in 2023 (first time since 1994). They also had their first back-to-back playoff… pic.twitter.com/PYzEDVAwye
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) August 30, 2024
Jones’ Chiefs beat McDaniel’s Dolphins 21-14 in Week 9 of the regular season. The Dolphins’ 14 points tied for their second-fewest of the 2023 season and just one of five instances in which they failed to score at least 20 points. The Chiefs and Dolphins met again in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs. Kansas City held the Dolphins, who had the NFL’s highest-scoring offense, to a season-low seven points.
KC’s 21 points ranked as the sixth-highest total Miami allowed during the regular season. The Chiefs’ 26-point effort in the Wild Card ranked as the sixth-highest mark the Dolphins allowed during the 2023 season.
A second-round pick by the Chiefs in 2016, Jones is 4-0 against the Dolphins in his eight-year career.
The two teams will not meet in the regular season in 2024. But as two of the top teams in the AFC, they could be on a collision course to a postseason showdown.
Chris Jones Primed for Big Season in 2024
Jones is starting an extension of his own, a record-breaking five-year, $158.7 million pact he inked in March 2024.
His contract situation was the source of intrigue ahead of the 2023 season and ultimately led to a lengthy holdout that saw Jones sit out the season-opener, a 21-20 loss at home to the Detroit Lions.
Jones returned to the field in Week 2, logging 5.5 sacks over his first five games.
The five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro finished the season with 10.5 sacks. That was the third-most of his career.
That it came despite Jones missing the entire offseason program and training camp could be informative for 2024. Jones tied his career-high with 15.5 sacks in 2022. He could have an even bigger season in 2024 paid and with a full camp under his belt.
Chiefs Eyeing Historic 2024 Season
Jones speaks his mind. That holds true with his beliefs on the Chiefs’ outlook for 2024. They became the NFL’s first back-to-back Super Bowl champions in 20 years last season,
Now, the Chiefs are looking to be the first in history to win three in a row.
“I think what’s motivating all of us is three-peat,” Jones told reporters in June. “I think we got the pieces to do it, we got the team to do it. It’s just applying every day, challenging every day, and I think that’s the most important goal as [an] individual and as a team.”
“We have brief conversations about it. [About] what it’s going to take. The requirements. The day-in and day-out work that’s required to even get in that position and even talk about a three-peat. I think it’s more so of what’s required day-to-day in order to get ourself in a position to three-peat.”
Main Photo: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
