PHOENIX – Chris Jones claims to have little or no reminiscence of a comparatively benign sport in 2017, when the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs welcomed the Philadelphia Eagles to Arrowhead Stadium for the second sport of the common season.

Jason Kelce remembers it fairly effectively.

The veteran Philadelphia heart spent the afternoon lining up alongside Isaac Seumalo, who Jones proceeded to whip from begin to end. Then a comparatively unknown second-year defensive sort out, Jones piled up three sacks that day.

“(Seumalo) performed a man early on that no one knew about then that was, , the very best defensive sort out within the NFL,” Kelce recalled. “I imply, I certain bear in mind going into that sport and we did not actually discuss a lot about Chris, to be sincere with you. We did not have a lot of a plan for him as a result of we thought it wasn’t going to be a lot of an enormous deal.

“And man,” Kelce stated, “Isaac had a tough outing.”

You possibly can wager the Eagles can have a greater plan for coping with Jones within the Tremendous Bowl on Sunday.

In five-plus years since that sport in Kansas Metropolis, the affable move rusher has grown to rival the Rams’ Aaron Donald as simply what Kelce stated: the NFL’s greatest defensive sort out. He is gone to the previous 4 Professional Bowls, was voted second-team All-Professional thrice and, this yr, earned first-team honors together with being a finalist for AP Defensive Participant of the Yr.

He’ll be taught whether or not he takes house that {hardware} on the NFL Honors on Thursday night time.

“He is so good, man. He makes it so laborious on you,” stated Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, who was sacked twice by Jones within the AFC title sport. “He is so large and robust. Bodily. He actually understands what you are attempting to do to him up entrance.”

In fact, no one has fairly found out what to do with him.

Jones had 15 1/2 sacks this season, regardless of going through fixed double groups, matching the 2018 season for the very best of his profession. He trailed solely the 49ers’ Nick Bosa, the Browns’ Myles Garrett and the Eagles’ Haason Reddick for the NFL lead.

Jones additionally was an enormous cause why the Chiefs, one of many league’s worst at dashing the passer final season, immediately grew to become the most effective. That they had 55 sacks within the common season to path solely their Tremendous Bowl opponent for the league lead.

“He opens up plenty of alternatives for lots of these guys inside, particularly when he is inflicting a lot consideration to return his manner,” stated Chiefs defensive finish Frank Clark, who has 2 1/2 sacks on this postseason. “We converse on it and harp on it quite a bit with the inside guys, , like, ‘Is Chris getting double-teamed?’”

That is normally the very best strategy; Jones appears to finish up close to the quarterback anyway.

“He is a game-wrecking-type power up entrance,” Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan stated. “You may have to concentrate on the place he strains up. He strains up at finish, up the shade and the three (method). He is a particularly disruptive participant, so that you do every little thing you may to reduce him, however he’ll have one sooner or later.”

The duty for the Eagles — and what the Bengals did not do — is restrict Jones to only one large play.

“He is a implausible participant,” Callahan stated, “and he is not enjoyable to should prepare for.”

He is enjoyable to have within the locker room, although. Jones is among the many most light-hearted Chiefs, consistently attempting to get guys to smile. He as soon as confirmed up at follow shortly earlier than Christmas in an unsightly sweater with a stitched image of Jesus carrying the label “Birthday Boy.” His personal smile appears to stretch from one finish of the room to the opposite.

On the sector, although, that good-natured goof immediately turns into a colossus.

All of that explains why the Chiefs lavished on the 28-year-old Jones an $80 million, four-year deal a few years in the past, which included a $1.25 million bonus when Jones hit 10 sacks this season. His wage cap hit is tops amongst defensive tackles, edging Donald and DeForest Buckner, but by some means looks as if a cut price given his manufacturing. And with one yr left on the contract after Sunday, there is a good probability the Chiefs will start speaking about an extension quickly.

In the event that they have not began these discussions already.

Within the meantime, Jones will attempt to seize a second Tremendous Bowl ring when the Chiefs tackle the Eagles on Sunday. He is aware of that a lot of their success will depend upon whether or not he can strain Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts, whose uncanny capability to shred defenses together with his arm and legs make him troublesome to defend.

“Each week is a problem for me, particularly if you’re enjoying within the Tremendous Bowl. It is the very best of the very best,” Jones stated Wednesday. “So we’re very lucky. We’re enthusiastic about it. Jason Kelce and that incredible offensive line — we acquired to see what kind of strain we are able to carry in opposition to it.”

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