Chris Jones has novel idea on how to help Chiefs in short yardage: Give him the ball
The Chiefs’ issues with short-yardage plays seem to have been resolved.
On Sunday, the Chiefs had third-and-1 and handed the ball to Isiah Pacheco, who broke free on a 48-yard touchdown run against the Jets (thanks to a big block from guard Trey Smith).
A week earlier, the Chiefs had a third-and-goal play from Chicago’s 1-yard line and Clyde Edwards-Helaire scored a touchdown. And in a win at Jacksonville on Sept. 17, Pacheco picked up 2 yards on a fourth-and-1 call.
But the Chiefs still haven’t run a quarterback sneak since the 2019 season when Patrick Mahomes was injured in a game at Denver.
But one Chiefs player is ready to run a quarterback sneak: defensive lineman Chris Jones. He talked about that desire last week on Travis Kelce’s “New Heights” podcast.
“I’ve been waiting on Andy to put me in the backfield for something,” Jones said. “I’ll do a quarterback draw, put me back there for something. Just get me in there, Andy. I hope he’s listening to me. I just need one touch.”
Kelce and Jones revealed Reid previously had drawn up a play for the 6-foot-6, 310-pound defensive lineman. It’s a sprint-out to the right and Jones is supposed to throw the ball to Kelce. Unfortunately, it won’t ever be seen in a game.
“I’m like, ‘Look Andy, you created it all, but big boy ain’t got it all,’ Jones said with a laugh. “I’m a pocket passer.”
Kelce said the Chiefs gave Jones multiple chances to get the play down during practice.
“We tried to do this ... play like five times in a row man and Chris just couldn’t get me the ... football,” Kelce said. “We kept saying, OK, let him warm up a little, give him one more try. And every one more try was like, ahhh. We couldn’t even get a spiral out of the guy.”
Jones is looking for a rushing opportunity, just not the kind he’s known for
“I run downhill,” he said. “Get me downhill Cam Newton style, jumping over somebody’s head. Running behind Jason (Kelce, the podcast co-host).”
Travis Kelce offered to speak up for Jones.
“I’ll tell you what, man,” he said, “I might have to volunteer you to be our QB sneak guy.”
Jones replied enthusiastically: “Now we’re talking. Now we’re talking.”
But could Jones take a snap under center? Of course he could.
“Put your hands on their ass (and) hike it up,” Jones said matter-of-factly.
The Chiefs are known for their creative plays and it would be fun to see Jones on offense.
This story was originally published October 4, 2023 at 9:59 AM.
