Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes offers impassioned defense of Chris Jones amid criticism
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Patrick Mahomes publicly defends Chris Jones amid fan criticism over final play
- Fans circulated video of Trevor Lawrence’s touchdown, magnifying defensive optics
- Mahomes praises Jones’ leadership and calls for internal accountability within team
When an opposing team scores a last-second touchdown to beat the Chiefs, fans in Kansas City don’t often share video of the play after the game.
But that was the case with Trevor Lawrence’s fall-down touchdown run to beat the Chiefs 31-28 on Monday night. It was shared on social media because fans were displeased with what they saw from star defensive lineman Chris Jones on the play.
We don’t know if there is a backstory to the video, but the optics were not good on this play. Fans also didn’t like Jones saying the entire defense needed to be better on the play.
During his weekly interview on 96.5 The Fan, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was asked about how the team leaders address accountability and hold each other accountable.
Mahomes offered an impassioned defense of Jones.
“I believe in Chris Jones no matter what, man,” Mahomes said. “He’s done so much for this team and for this organization, being a leader. And I think people don’t even understand how much of a leader he is on this team.
“But he’s a guy that’s kind of made us go throughout my career, and I know in big moments he’s gonna make big plays. And so people always look back and see stuff after losses and stuff like that, and they judge that stuff.
“But I judge the guy, the character he brings into the building every single day.”
This story was originally published October 9, 2025 at 8:19 AM.
