Ex-Patriots star: Chiefs will be fine no matter how long Chris Jones’ holdout lasts
Defensive lineman Chris Jones told reporters Wednesday that if he signed that day, he would be ready for the NFL Kickoff Game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
That didn’t happen, so it’s highly unlikely Jones will play in Thursday night’s Chiefs game against the Detroit Lions as his contract holdout continues.
Jones has previously indicated he would not return to the Chiefs without a new deal until Week 8.
NBC Sports analyst Devin McCourty believes Jones’ absence will be ... just fine for the Chiefs.
McCourty, who retired in March after playing 13 seasons with the Patriots, recalled a story from his first season with New England to make his point about the Chiefs. Like the Patriots from that time, the Chiefs’ focus is on winning another Super Bowl.
“I know it’s tough without a guy like Chris Jones and I think the distraction that that brings,” McCourty said. “But I just remember my rookie year, Logan Mankins was our best offensive player really, from an offensive line standpoint. And he was the heart and soul of the front. And he missed I think seven or eight games. But when you play on a team that knows they have a chance to win it all, no distraction bothers you.
“I didn’t know any better. I was a rookie. Everybody just stayed in stride and plugging away and we didn’t miss a beat (without Mankins). ... And I think Kansas City’s gonna have that same approach. They know eventually Chris Jones will be back. They’re not gonna worry about that. They’re gonna say, ‘Oh, we need to win and then when he gets back, we need to start worrying about getting back on that page to win the whole thing.’”
In 2010, the Patriots had an 8-1 record when Mankins suffered an ACL injury. New England finished the season with a 14-2 record.
McCourty, a former Pro Bowl safety, believes the Chiefs’ other defensive players will help make up for Jones’ absence.
“Everyone talks about the distraction but the biggest thing will be how do you replace Chris Jones — and you don’t,” McCourty said. “But they’re gonna need guys to step up, and not necessarily the guys who fill his role. But the (Nick) Boltons of the world, they’re gonna have to play their ball. Justin Reid, those guys who are leaders or captain type players, they have to step up and play even better, while the best player is not there.
“I do think Kansas City’s gonna have two or three guys probably in that position playing (for Jones), doing different roles and then count on those other guys to step up and have big games until he comes back.”
