Chris Jones Bio
Christopher Deshun Jones, born on July 3, 1994, in Houston, Mississippi, is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Mississippi State Bulldogs and was selected by the Chiefs in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft. Jones is a three-time Super Bowl champion, a six-time All-Pro member, and a seven-time Pro Bowler. He has been one of the most dominant interior defensive linemen of his era.
Early Life and Background
Christopher Deshun Jones grew up in Houston, Mississippi, a small town in the northern part of the state. He attended Houston High School, where he played football for the Hilltoppers and quickly developed into a high-level prospect. Coming out of high school, Jones was considered a five-star recruit and was ranked among the top players in his recruiting class. His size, athleticism, and motor made him one of the most sought-after defensive linemen in the country.
Jones chose to stay in his home state, committing to Mississippi State University to play college football. He continued to develop as a young player in the Southeastern Conference, one of the most competitive leagues in college football. His path from a small Mississippi town to a national stage began with these formative years in Houston and Starkville.
Path to American Football
Jones played for the Mississippi State Bulldogs from 2013 to 2015, working his way into a significant role on the defensive line. As a true freshman in 2013, he appeared in all 13 games and made three starts, recording 32 tackles and three sacks. As a sophomore in 2014, he appeared in all 13 games and added 26 tackles and three sacks. His production and potential made him a player to watch in the SEC.
As a junior in 2015, Jones started all 13 games and recorded 44 tackles and 2.5 sacks. After that season, he made the decision to forgo his senior year and enter the 2016 NFL draft. Coming out of college, Jones was projected to be a second-round pick. He was ranked the eighth-best defensive tackle and the 48th-best overall prospect by NFLDraftScout.com. He also completed the entire NFL Combine workout and all positional drills, solidifying his status as a top prospect.
Chris Jones Career
Early Career (2016-2017)
The Kansas City Chiefs selected Christopher Deshun Jones in the second round with the 37th overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft, making him the fifth defensive tackle taken that year. He signed a four-year, $6.23 million rookie contract with $3.44 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $2.73 million. Jones made his professional regular season debut in the Chiefs’ season-opening 33-27 victory over the San Diego Chargers. He earned his first career start on October 23, 2016, and recorded his first career sack on Andrew Luck the following week. He finished his rookie season with 28 combined tackles, two sacks, and four pass deflections in 16 games and 11 starts, earning a place on the NFL All-Rookie Team.
In 2017, Jones began to show signs of the impact he would have on the league. On September 17, 2017, he recorded three sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception in a 27-20 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. He finished the 2017 season with 6.5 sacks, 32 total tackles, one interception, seven passes defensed, and four forced fumbles across 16 appearances. His disruptive play hinted at the dominant defender he was becoming.
Chiefs Defensive Star (2018-2020)
The 2018 season marked Christopher Deshun Jones’s emergence as one of the most feared defensive linemen in the NFL. During Week 5 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he returned an interception 20 yards for a touchdown in a 30-14 victory. Later in the same game, he was ejected for punching an opposing player after an extra point attempt. Most notably, Jones recorded a sack in 11 consecutive games from Week 5 to Week 16, setting an NFL record and breaking the mark previously held by Simon Fletcher. He finished the season third in the league with 15.5 sacks, earning second-team All-Pro honors and AFC Defensive Player of the Month for November.
In 2019, Jones recorded two sacks on Ryan Tannehill in a Week 10 game against the Tennessee Titans, helping lead the Chiefs to a strong season. He was named to his first Pro Bowl and helped Kansas City reach Super Bowl LIV, where he forced the game’s first turnover and broke up three passes from Jimmy Garoppolo as the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 31-20 to win the championship. In 2020, the Chiefs placed the franchise tag on Jones in March, and he later signed a four-year contract worth $80 million with $60 million guaranteed. He recorded his first career safety on a sack of Tua Tagovailoa and finished with 7.5 sacks before the Chiefs reached Super Bowl LV, where they fell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-9.
Sustained Excellence (2021-2022)
Jones continued his dominant play in 2021, recording five tackles, 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in a 19-9 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 11, earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week. He was named to his third consecutive Pro Bowl, cementing his status as one of the premier defensive tackles in football.
In 2022, Jones had one of his finest seasons, recording 44 tackles, 15.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. He earned Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro honors for the first time. He helped the Chiefs earn the number-one seed in the AFC and recorded two sacks on Joe Burrow in the AFC Championship Game win over the Cincinnati Bengals. In Super Bowl LVII, Jones recorded three tackles as Kansas City defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 to capture the championship.
Chiefs Championship Run (2023-Present)
Jones did not report to the Chiefs’ 2023 training camp while holding out for a contract extension, accruing a mandatory fine of $50,000 for each day missed. He was placed on the reserve/did not report list before eventually agreeing to a new one-year contract on September 11, 2023. He finished the 2023 season with 10.5 sacks, 30 tackles, and four passes defended, earning Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro honors. In Super Bowl LVIII against the 49ers, Jones generated a critical third-down pressure in overtime that forced San Francisco to settle for a field goal, paving the way for Kansas City’s championship-winning touchdown.
On March 11, 2024, Jones signed a five-year, $158.75 million contract to return to the Chiefs, with $101 million in guarantees, making him the highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history in average annual value. He recorded two sacks, four tackles, and four quarterback pressures in a Week 4 win over the Chargers, earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week, and finished 2024 with five sacks, 37 tackles, and one forced fumble. He earned Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro honors and was ranked 12th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2025.
Notable Events and Milestones
Christopher Deshun Jones’s career has been defined by a series of record-setting moments and championship performances. His 11 consecutive games with a sack in 2018 set an NFL record. He has been a key contributor in three Super Bowl victories, including clutch plays in Super Bowl LVIII that helped secure the championship. His seven Pro Bowl selections, six All-Pro honors, and record-breaking contract reflect his standing as one of the elite defensive players in the league.
Chris Jones Career Wins
Christopher Deshun Jones has been a central figure in the Kansas City Chiefs’ dynasty, contributing to three Super Bowl championships in Super Bowl LIV, Super Bowl LVII, and Super Bowl LVIII. His career statistics include 339 tackles, 87.5 sacks, 13 forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, 39 pass deflections, two interceptions, and one defensive touchdown. He has been recognized with seven Pro Bowl selections and six All-Pro honors, establishing himself as one of the most decorated defensive tackles of his generation.
Playoff and Super Bowl Highlights
Jones has been a difference-maker in the postseason, recording two sacks on Joe Burrow in the 2022 AFC Championship Game to help Kansas City reach the Super Bowl. In Super Bowl LVII, he recorded three tackles in a 38-35 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, and in Super Bowl LVIII, his critical third-down pressure in overtime helped the Chiefs defeat the 49ers. These clutch performances have helped define his legacy as a championship-caliber player.
Chris Jones Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Christopher Deshun Jones grew up in Houston, Mississippi, and has deep roots in his home state. He is known to endorse environmental protection, reflecting a commitment to causes beyond the football field. His rise from a small-town high school prospect to one of the highest-paid defensive players in NFL history speaks to the strong foundation built during his early years in Mississippi.
2025 Season Performance
In the 2025 season, Christopher Deshun Jones continued to perform at a high level, recording seven sacks, 29 total tackles with 15 solo stops, and two passes defended. He was named to his seventh consecutive Pro Bowl, further cementing his status among the elite defensive tackles in the league. As the anchor of the Chiefs’ defensive line, Jones remained a key piece of Kansas City’s championship aspirations.
Building on his record-breaking contract signed in March 2024, Jones continued to deliver consistent production for the Chiefs. His ability to pressure quarterbacks, disrupt opposing offenses, and make plays in critical moments kept him at the forefront of the league’s top defenders. With multiple seasons remaining on his contract, Jones’s presence in the middle of the Chiefs’ defense is expected to remain central to their contention for years to come.
