Chiefs' Chris Jones admits he QUIT on crucial play in loss... but denies leaving social media over fan abuse
Chiefs All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones admits it: He quit on the crucial play in Kansas City's Monday Night Football collapse against Jacksonville.
Jones told reporters Thursday he thought the play was over when Jags quarterback Trevor Lawrence tripped not once, but twice, during his game-winning touchdown scamper from the 1-yard line. Thinking that the play was over, the 31-year-old Jones was relegated to a spectator role as Lawrence regained his footing and dove into the end zone to seal the 31-28 win.
'It's a teaching point for me, a little adversity,' Jones said Thursday. 'I can't think the play is over. It's a learning lesson. I thought it was over. I thought we had him down, so I kind of stopped and was about to celebrate. Then I realized he wasn't down.'
Promising not to let this 'happen again,' Jones told reporters he welcomes criticism despite recently shuttering his X and Instagram accounts.
As he said Thursday, he made that decision prior to Monday's defeat.
'I posted a Drake quote, 'I'll see you in the summer of 2026,'' Jones said, referring to the Canadian pop star. 'I never run from constructive criticism. I've never been that guy. I've always addressed it head on, actually. It's a lot you can take from criticism. It's like fuel, like gas, for me personally.
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'I guess people wanted to address me head-on on social media, and they [saw] it wasn't active. They figured that I deleted it for [my performance], but it was deleted a couple days before.'
Jones also acknowledged the immense test the 2-3 Chiefs face on Sunday night football this week in Detroit Lions running backs Jahmyr Gibbs David Montgomery.
'I've been focused on the Lions since [Monday's] game,' Jones said. 'You can't hold your head [down] on one play or one game. You learn from it, you take notes, and you keep pushing.'
This has been a difficult season for Jones, who recently lost a beloved aunt, who suffered a fatal heart attack while watching him play against the New York Giants earlier this season.
'She was actually watching my game when she passed away,' an emotional Jones told reporters on October 3.
Jones said he knew something was wrong after he recorded a sack against the Giants and wasn't met with a post-game phone call from family after the win.
'It was very unexpected because usually after the game, especially after a game you get a sack, my family [will] call and congratulate me,' he told reporters.
As Jones explained, he was particularly close with his aunt, with whom he lived for several years.
'She meant a lot,' Jones said. 'I actually stayed with her for a duration, part of my life, probably like five or six years. So we were very close.
'Meant a lot to me, my family, huge supporter.'
Chiefs coach Andy Reid accommodated Jones' request to attend her funeral in Mississippi.
Jones rewarded Reid's trust by returning to Arrowhead Stadium in time for the September win over the Ravens, although just barely.
He actually missed warmups after landing at 2:40 – just 45 minutes before kickoff – but still managed to play on the game's first snap.
'Me and Coach Reid talked about it, and more so it was about making my aunt's funeral, and if there was a time frame where I could get back I would try to get back, but they completely understood and came up with a plan around it,' Jones told media.
Jameson Williams Gets Support From Kelvin Sheppard Amid Production Controversy
The Detroit Lions are on a four-game winning streak heading into this weekend's game against the Kansas City Chiefs with Jameson Williams a hot topic.
Williams has not recorded a 100-plus yard game since the Lions played Ben Johnson's Bears in Motown during Week 2 and some fans have questioned his demeanor on social media according to reporter Kory Woods.
While most fans continue to support Williams, the former Alabama star's thoughts on the issue were revealed in an interview attributed to Woods.
Woods also shared an update from Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, who revealed his thoughts on Williams' latest dry spell.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) tries to catch a pass intended for him against Cleveland Browns cornerback Myles Harden (26) during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Sheppard's Take on Williams' Perceived Struggles
Williams has continued to chip in as a receiver while excelling as a blocker in new offensive coordinator John Morton's system with the Lions.
He hasn't compiled as much yardage as expected lately, failing to eclipse more than 100 yards total over his last three games.
Sheppard shared his innermost thoughts.
"I asked #Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard what he's seeing from the way defenses are playing Jameson Williams that the average fan might not understand when it comes to his lack of targets," Woods wrote.
"Sheppard: 'I would hope the average fan appreciates 34 points per game," Woods quoted the Lions coach as saying.
Williams' Impact Felt Beyond the Box Score
Williams' blocking speaks for itself, and he also provides a decoy that opposing teams must account for regardless of whether he catches the ball or not.
Williams is one of the NFL's best deep threats and commands attention on any route from defenders extending back to both safeties.
The Lions' offense is better with Williams on the field, that much is for certain. Whether or not he puts up Pro Bowl numbers may affect his contract status going forward, but it won't necessarily always affect the Lions' winning ways.
