Chris Jones is the lone defensive holdover from the Kansas City Chiefs’ first Super Bowl victory four years ago over the San Francisco 49ers.
And other than Patrick Mahomes, Jones remains the player that the 49ers fear the most going into Super Bowl LVIII.
The Kansas City Chiefs had the NFL’s second-ranked defense this season, with Chris Jones still acting as their anchor upfront at defensive tackle. The eight-year pro produced his fifth Pro Bowl season and was named a first-team All-Pro for the second time in his career.
Kansas City Chiefs DT Chris Jones by the numbers
| DEF* | RDEF* | PRUSH* | PRWR^ | SACKS | QBKD# | PRESS.# | QBH# |
| 86.8 (6th) | 61.9 (43rd) | 90.0 (3rd) | 19.6% (2nd) | 10.5 (14th) | 17 (4th) | 39 (8th) | 29 (7th) |
Sources: *Pro Football Focus / ^ESPN / #Stathead
As the numbers show, Chris Jones’ specialty is getting after the quarterback, an ability that ranks him among the NFL’s best at any defensive line position.
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Why Kansas City Chiefs DT Chris Jones is a problem for the San Francisco 49ers?
In Super Bowl LVIII, Chris Jones will pose significant matchup issues for the San Francisco 49ers’ offense because he will attack the 49ers at their weakest point.
The 49ers’ offensive line ranked 20th in the NFL with a pass block win rate of 56 percent. Outside of All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams, who is PFF’s highest-graded pass blocker, the rest of the 49ers’ offensive line struggles at pass protection in front of quarterback Brock Purdy.
Jones typically lines up on the right interior of the defensive line. That means 49ers left guard Aaron Banks would have the unenviable job of containing Jones on most downs, with help from center Jake Brendel.
The problem for the 49ers is that Banks and Brendel rank among the worst pass blockers at their respective positions, according to Pro Football Focus.
- Aaron Banks: Pass blocking grade: 53.0 — 54th out of 79 offensive guards
- Jake Brendel: Pass blocking grade: 43.7 — 30th out of 36 centers
If Jones is able to get quick penetration up the middle on Brock Purdy, he could not only collapse the pocket, but he could also use his length at 6-foot-6 to disrupt passing lanes, create visibility issues for Purdy, who’s nearly six inches shorter, and even bat down balls at the line of scrimmage.
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More ways Chris Jones helps the Kansas City Chiefs defense
When the 49ers and the Chiefs met in the Super Bowl four years ago, Jones never sacked 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, but he knocked down three of his passes. Meanwhile, during the regular season Purdy had 13 passes batted down, ranking eighth among all quarterbacks.
Most teams devote two blockers to Jones, who was double-teamed at a 72 percent clip, tied for the most among any defensive lineman in the league. When that happens, someone like defensive end George Karlaftis could benefit if he’s able to beat his man, either 49ers right guard Jon Feliciano or tackle right Colton McKivitz. Karlaftis tied Jones as the Chiefs’ sack leader with 10.5.
The Chiefs’ outstanding secondary, led by All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie, has also benefitted from Jones’ work on the defensive line. McDuffie, Joshua Williams, and L’Jarius Sneed rank among the best corners in the league.
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Kansas City Chiefs’ defense could be their best ever
On Sunday, their ability to stick with 49ers receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel could disrupt Purdy’s timing, make him hesitate, and allow Jones’ time to work through blocks and get better penetration.
The overall result has been the best Kansas City Chiefs’ defense under head coach Andy Reid and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Over the past six seasons, Patrick Mahomes has led the Chiefs to four Super Bowls in the past six years, 2023 was the first time the defense — led by Chris Jones — carried Mahomes instead.
The Chiefs’ overall pass defense, which ranked fourth in the NFL, was able to hold two of the league’s best offenses — the Baltimore Ravens and the Miami Dolphins — to only one touchdown apiece, and the Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen could only manage 186 yards passing and 4.8 yards per pass attempt.