The Kansas City Chiefs just missed the playoffs for the first time in 11 years. Many changes are expected as they enter the 2026 season. It will be an offseason full of faces in new places for the Chiefs, and as part of that process, a bold move or two should not be ruled out.
Kansas City could easily shake up different position groups on the roster. One area that is a major focus is the defensive line. The Chiefs finished the 2025 season with just 35 sacks, tied for 22nd in the NFL. They simply could not create much havoc when rushing the quarterback with just four defenders.
The defensive line has honestly needed a facelift in spots on the depth chart for a few years now. But in thinking of how Kansas City could attack the offseason, is it really all that wild to suggest that a Chris Jones trade could take place?
Chiefs currently have more holes than they do assets
The Chiefs have many roster holes to fill. As a whole on defense, replenishing starting spots in nearly a third of the unit is plausible, depending on who stays or leaves in free agency. Even while looking to add more suitable depth, Kansas City must be willing to throw plenty of assets at that side of the ball. Think of how the Chiefs rebuilt the defense in 2022, especially with young players coming in via the draft.
The Chiefs had to make a bold move that offseason heading into the 2022 campaign. Trading away Tyreek Hill was stunning at first, but looking back on what Kansas City accomplished after that move, it was worth it. The timing could be right to make another bold move if the Chiefs believe they are better off rebuilding parts of the roster while Jones is no longer part of the puzzle.
A major difference between Hill then and Jones now is their contract situations. Tyreek Hill needed a new extension, which Miami gave him after the acquisition. As for Jones, he is signed through 2028 following his most recent extension in Kansas City. Jones’ age is also going to factor into any potential trade package if the Chiefs were to move him.
Jones is seeing production alter as he gets older
Jones will turn 32 at the start of training camp next year. After posting 10.5 sacks in 16 games during the 2023 season, the last two years have been bumpy for his production. Jones has combined for 12 sacks over his last two seasons, spanning 32 total games. In postseason play, his last two playoff runs have netted just one sack.
On the positive side, Pro Football Focus credited Jones with the third-most pressures among all defensive tackles in 2025. In 2024, PFF charted him second among defensive tackles in pressures and hits. They also ranked him first in hurries that season.
Simply put, Jones has been known to freelance and take risks throughout his career in an effort to win reps. That can obviously expose his gap assignments and compromise his leverage. This has been an issue that has burned Jones more frequently in recent seasons. With his moves at the line of scrimmage, teams are not always fearful of attacking him straight on, both against the run and the pass.
Items that make a Jones trade at least plausible
The Chiefs are going to have to make some quick moves to get under the salary cap in 2026. Patrick Mahomes’ annual restructure will likely be part of that plan. A Jones restructure would also not be shocking. But let’s look at what the numbers would be if the Chiefs seriously considered trading the defensive tackle.
Over The Cap shows that if Jones is traded pre–June 1, Kansas City would take on $29.25 million in dead money while receiving $15.6 million in salary cap savings. In a post–June 1 trade, the Chiefs would take on just $9.75 million in dead money and net a larger $35.1 million in cap savings.
You are not getting the same return in draft picks that the Chiefs received in the Hill trade, as noted earlier. However, it is still possible to land a Day 2 draft pick in a Jones trade. At the very least, it would behoove the Chiefs to explore which teams might be willing to enter this type of agreement. If there is any chance to help the team’s future with additional assets, moving on from an older, high-priced piece should not be ruled out.
General manager Brett Veach does not typically want many older players filling out his roster. The combination of age, declining production, and numerous roster needs could entice Veach to make this headline-grabbing move. After multiple contract negotiations and memorable playoff moments, Jones could still retire as a Chief. However, the idea that Kansas City could deal him should not be dismissed as the team enters a vital and unique offseason.