From the moment the news broke, a wave of rumors began swirling about what the next destination will be for Hill, one of the most impactful wide receivers the league has seen in recent years.

Among them, some are eagerly pushing to bring Hill back to Chiefs Kingdom. Through his X account, Chris Jones delivered a strong two-word message regarding the situation: “It’s time,” along with a clock emoji.

It’s worth noting that during his time with the Chiefs, Cheetah was one of the primary weapons in Patrick Mahomes’ offensive arsenal, slicing through virtually any defense that stood in their way. Could this be the moment for him to reunite with Andy Reid and make his return?

Golden era in Chiefs Kingdom

During his tenure with the Kansas City Chiefs, Hill established himself as the NFL’s premier deep threat. As Mahomes‘ primary weapon, Hill’s unparalleled speed and ability to stretch the field transformed the Chiefs’ offense into a relentless scoring machine. His impact was undeniable, earning him eight Pro Bowl selections and playing a pivotal role in securing the Super Bowl LIV title.

Whether he was turning a short slant into a 70-yard touchdown or hauling in deep bombs, Cheetah defined an era of explosive football in Kansas City that remains legendary.

“Took a year off, we will be back to it next year,” Chris Jones stated on his X account, @StoneColdJones. His statement just minutes away from kickoff in Super Bowl LX clearly reflects the sentiment within the Chiefs.

Led by the likes of Mahomes, Kelce, Jones, and Andy Reid, the Chiefs have set a standard. Needless to say, they accomplished anything but meet it during the 2025 NFL season.

Rough year

Hoping to put the 6–11 record behind them as soon as possible, Jones’ latest statement is a reminder of the work that lies ahead for Kansas City in 2026. Watching the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots battle in Super Bowl LX should serve as fuel for the Chiefs, whose dynasty status is now on the verge of extinction.

Moreover, Mahomes—rehabbing from knee surgery—and Kelce—yet to make a public announcement about his future— are both doubtful to start the 2026 campaign. Although reports suggest Kelce is very close to making a decision about his retirement, the climb is only getting steeper for Jones and the rest of the Chiefs, who are now facing adversity and uncertainty on virtually every front.

Tough pill to swallow

As a matter of fact, Super Bowl LX is only the second since the turn of the decade in which Mahomes, Kelce, and the Chiefs won’t be appearing. Even in the salary cap era, Kansas City has built a powerhouse, and it’s not planning to throw in the towel after facing its first adversity in a decade.

Kelce’s longtime teammate, defensive standout Chris Jones, spoke after the game about Kelce’s future. According to Jones, it appeared Kelce was not finished playing and would likely return to the Chiefs.

“I’m not buying it, he’ll be back next year,” Jones said. When asked if he could promise Kelce would return, he added, “I can’t promise you anything about another man.” His comments offered hope to Chiefs fans, even though Kelce has not consistently reached the peak level expected this season, but he remains a franchise legend.

Kelce certainly has nothing left to prove. He ranks among the greatest tight ends in NFL history and achieved a historic milestone on Sunday, becoming the fastest tight end ever to reach 13,000 career receiving yards—an accomplishment matched by only two others in league history.

Jones and Kelce, a Chiefs legacy

Kelce and Jones have been teammates for nearly a decade, ever since the Chiefs selected Jones in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Together, they helped Kansas City secure three Super Bowl titles, establishing themselves as two of the most dominant players in the league at their respective positions.

This marked the second consecutive offseason in which Kelce needed to decide whether to retire. Last year, he quickly opted to return, but heading into this offseason, he remained uncertain about whether he would continue playing.

If Kelce returns, as Jones anticipates, the Chiefs will aim to ensure he finishes his career on the highest note, with Patrick Mahomes healthy from a previous ACL injury and another playoff run on the horizon. Should Kelce retire, he will leave the league as one of the all-time greats at the tight end position.

What’s next for the Chiefs and Kelce?

The bigger question is what comes next. The Chiefs face a pivotal offseason with multiple potential roster changes, and with Kelce set to become a free agent, a return to Kansas City would likely require renegotiating his contract. Even so, it would be surprising to see him suit up for another NFL team at this stage of his career.

In Week 5, the Chiefs suffered a tough loss to the Jaguars in Jacksonville. In the final moments of the game, Kansas City’s defense had a chance to stop Trevor Lawrence from scoring the game-winning touchdown, but they failed.

On that play, Lawrence fell to the ground during the snap, appearing to end the play. However, he quickly recovered and ran to the end zone, with Chris Jones standing by and not attempting to make a stop.

Chris Jones addresses his role in Trevor Lawrence’s touchdown

Chris Jones is widely regarded as one of the best defensive players in the NFL. The Chiefs recently rewarded him with a lucrative contract extension, yet his mistake in Week 5 has drawn heavy criticism from fans.

During the Jaguars’ final drive, the ball was placed inside the Chiefs’ 10-yard line. When Trevor Lawrence tripped, it looked like the play was over, but he recovered, got back on his feet, and ran to score. Chris Jones did not pursue him, a decision that has been widely judged.

“That’s a teaching point for me,” Jones said. “I can’t think the play is over. It’s a learning lesson. I thought it was over, thought we had him down. I kinda stopped, was about to celebrate and then realized that he wasn’t down. The teaching lesson for me is ‘don’t stop.’”

What is Chris Jones’ contract with the Chiefs?

As mentioned, Chris Jones recently signed a major deal with the Chiefs, making him one of the highest-paid players in the NFL. The franchise expects him to live up to that investment.

Jones inked a five-year, $158.75 million contract with the Chiefs in 2024. While the team has tremendous faith in him, the star pass rusher now has to prove he is worthy of that deal.

The Chiefs have started the 2025 NFL season with a surprising 1-2 record. The dynasty has yet to live up to expectations, and the AFC West is shaping up to be more competitive than ever.

Andy Reid’s team enters Week 4 facing a tough matchup against the Ravens. Securing a win will be crucial to avoid falling to 1-3, a start that could jeopardize their playoff chances.

Is Chris Jones available for Chiefs vs. Ravens in Week 4?

During the week, Chris Jones was added to the injury report with a non-injury designation. This raised concern in Kansas City, as the All-Pro defensive tackle is a key part of their lineup.

Jones is currently in Mississippi attending his aunt Don’s funeral and is expected to fly back to Kansas City in time for Sunday’s game, according to the Katz Brothers.

While he may have limited snaps, his presence on the field will be critical against a Ravens offense led by Lamar Jackson.

Ravens or Chiefs to start 1-3?

Although a tie is always possible in the NFL, it is highly unlikely. Both the Chiefs and Ravens currently hold a 1-2 record, meaning one of them will start the season with three losses.

According to betting odds, the Ravens are favored to win this matchup. Kansas City has struggled on both sides of the ball so far, making many analysts believe Baltimore has the edge in this contest.

Both Kansas City and Baltimore have had somewhat shaky starts. The two teams hold high expectations for the young season and do not want to waste more opportunities to establish themselves as strong contenders. For that reason, the Chiefs’ stars are paying special attention to the Ravens’ quarterback.

That trend carries into this year. Jackson leads the league in completion percentage (72%) with 722 yards and 9 touchdowns, while also ranking among the top in yards per attempt and passer rating. For Jones, who plays alongside Patrick Mahomes, this moment before facing the Ravens was a fitting opportunity to praise his rival.

Jones’s revelation about Jackson’s level

“It’s not often Lamar is easily sacked seven times. When I heard that stat, I was like, well, that’s crazy, because the Ravens mostly run the ball. But Lamar can pass the ball, too. It’s the dynamic of the game, I guess they went down and tried to get back in the game and [were] throwing the ball. I get it, it happens. It’s not often, but it happens,” Jones said about Jackson during a press conference, according to NBC Sports.

With both the Chiefs and Ravens off to a 1-2 start this season, their matchup is expected to be a tough one. “On any given play, he can change the dynamic. It’s always tough playing against Lamar and the Baltimore Ravens,” Jones said.

Jones makes revelation about Jackson and last season’s MVP award

Jackson came very close to winning the Most Valuable Player award again in 2024, but he lost the vote to Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen in a surprising outcome. The NFL world continues to share its opinion on the matter.

“Over the years, you look at how prolific as a passer he’s become — I think he’s completing 70 percent of his passes. I think he should’ve won MVP last year. Have so much respect for him,” Jones declared about the controversy around the Most Valuable Player of the last season.

The Chiefs entered the 2024 season as heavy favorites to win it all. With two consecutive championships under their belt, they were aiming to become the first team in NFL history to win three Super Bowls in a row. But the Eagles had other plans, stunning Kansas City in the final game of the season.

The final score was 40-22 in favor of Philadelphia, but the gap on the field felt even wider. Now, Chris Jones has opened up about the blowout loss—one that few saw coming.

Chris Jones shares key advice with Patrick Mahomes after Super Bowl LIX loss

When the Chiefs reached Super Bowl LIX, many analysts believed they were on the verge of making history. A three-peat seemed within reach, but the Eagles shut down that narrative with a dominant performance.

Despite Kansas City putting up 22 points, the Eagles controlled the game from start to finish. The Chiefs were simply outmatched, and now players are reflecting on the harsh reality check that could serve as fuel for the future.

Chris Jones, one of the vocal leaders on defense, believes the loss can be a turning point. He’s now passed on a key message to Mahomes and the rest of the team: use the defeat as motivation.

“I think you can use a lot of things as motivation, especially this past season,” Jones said. “The biggest motivation is making it to the big game and losing — not only losing, but losing the way we did. A lot of people in the building think we could have done better. We think we’re better, and we’re focused on getting back to the mountaintop now.”

While the Chiefs are still considered one of the most complete teams in the NFL, the Super Bowl loss raised questions about depth, preparation, and hunger. Jones is confident, however, that the team will use that disappointment to bounce back stronger and remind everyone why they’ve been at the top for so long.

How many Super Bowls have the Kansas City Chiefs won?

The Kansas City Chiefs have won four Super Bowl titles in their history, with most of their recent success coming under the leadership of Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid.

The franchise claimed its first championship in 1970, but had to wait 50 years for another. That changed with their victories in 2020, 2023, and 2024, firmly establishing them as a modern dynasty.

On Tuesday, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach broke the silence on Kelce’s retirement rumors by suggesting that the tight end will come back for the 2025 NFL season. Shortly after the GM’s comments, Jones dropped a 10-word message seemingly for Kelce.

“My dawg got to come back we got unfinished business,” Jones wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter), in a post that immediately went viral on social media. Many wondered who Jones was referring to, but the timing of his post suggests that he’s talking about Kelce.

Chris Jones’ history with Kelce in Kansas City

Jones, 30, has been part of all three Super Bowl wins celebrated by Kelce in Kansas City. The defensive tackle was drafted three years after the tight end in 2016, and went on to play a crucial role in the Chiefs‘ success.

The Mississippi State product has been named to the Pro Bowl in six consecutive years since 2019, making the first-team All-Pro from 2022 to 2024. Jones has already won three rings with Kelce, but he feels that they can still write even more history at Arrowhead.

Brett Veach believes Kelce will not retire yet

Veach changed the outlook on Kelce’s situation by suggesting that the Chiefs are operating as if the tight end will be back in the 2025 NFL season. The tight end, who turns 36 in October, still has a year left on his contract.

“How we left at the end of the season is that he was fired up. He has one more year under contract,” Veach said. “Still think he has that fire and desire to play.”

With Kelce leaving his future up in the air after Super Bowl LIX, word on the street was that the Chiefs were giving the player until March 14 to make a decision about retirement. Veach, however, denied the existence of any deadline.

“As far as I’m concerned, there is no deadline,” Veach said. “We left it as he’d be back, and we’re excited to get him back. And get him going. Hopefully he has a magical season to end his magical career.”

It is clear that the Chiefs are in a desperate situation, allowing a large deficit to keep them away from the Eagles. Mahomes is under a lot of pressure from his opponents and is uncomfortable throwing the ball and creating threats on offense. In one of the few promising plays for Kansas City, a costly mistake occurred.

The broadcast cameras show the dramatic reaction of the 30-year-old Jones to one of the few chances the Chiefs had to hurt the Eagles’ defense, which has shown remarkable strength to build a big lead that puts them in a very favorable scenario to become Super Bowl champions.

With just a few minutes left in the second quarter, Mahomes sent a pass to Hopkins, who was alone on the field, but failed to catch the ball. Immediately, Jones, who was sitting on the bench, reacted visibly angry, dropping to his knees, then raising his head and pursing his lips, restraining himself from saying anything to channel his frustration.

Can the Chiefs win the Super Bowl?

As the minutes go by, Mahomes’ Chiefs look more and more erratic on offense and the Eagles seem unstoppable. The Kansas City team looks vastly outclassed and has a serious chance of losing the Super Bowl.

What is the largest halftime lead in Super Bowl history?

The first half of the final against the Eagles did not go as planned for the Chiefs, so the large margin refers to the largest halftime lead in a Super Bowl game, which is still 25 points. The precedent is the NFL final in which the Washington Redskins took a 35-10 lead into halftime of Super Bowl XXII against the Denver Broncos. Washington went on to win the Vince Lombardi Trophy 42-10.

Since 2019, Kansas City has made it to the Super Bowl five times out of seven seasons—a remarkable feat. While they fell short in one of those appearances, the Chiefs now have a chance to achieve an extraordinary milestone: becoming one of the few teams in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowl titles. Throughout this incredible run, Mahomes has been the undeniable cornerstone of their success.

While Mahomes and Travis Kelce are often spotlighted for their offensive brilliance, Jones believes there’s another key factor driving the Chiefs’ sustained success: defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Spagnuolo joined the organization seven years ago, and under his leadership, the Chiefs’ defense has evolved into one of the most formidable units in the league.

Speaking on Spagnuolo’s impact, Jones didn’t hold back his admiration, crediting the coordinator for the team’s ongoing achievements. “As long as they continue to let Spags be our defensive coordinator and not hire him as an HC, we’re going to continue to win,” Jones stated confidently to ESPN after the game against the Bills.

Spagnuolo’s impact on the Chiefs’ defense

Following their victory over the Buffalo Bills, the Chiefs extended their impressive streak to 16 consecutive home wins. This dominance can largely be attributed to their formidable defense under Spagnuolo. Over the last seven seasons, the Chiefs’ defense has allowed only 72 touchdowns—a testament to their consistency. This season and the previous one have been particularly exceptional, with the defense conceding just 14 touchdowns combined, including only 10 this year.

Losses have been a rarity for Spagnuolo’s defensive unit. With only two defeats this season—one of which came against the Bills during the regular season—the Chiefs have consistently delivered stellar performances. Moreover, Spagnuolo’s unit has achieved career highs in various metrics, including surpassing 15 yards allowed per game improvement, marking a personal best for his tenure with Kansas City.

These achievements reflect Spagnuolo’s tactical brilliance. Known affectionately as “Spags” by his players, he has become a pivotal figure in the Chiefs’ success. His ability to disrupt opposing offenses with innovative pressure schemes has played a significant role in the Chiefs’ three Super Bowl victories over the past seven years. Confidence in Spagnuolo’s strategies is high, and the team believes his leadership will continue to drive their success.

Spagnuolo’s journey as a head coach

Jones has credited Spagnuolo as a key architect of the Chiefs’ recent dominance. However, before joining Kansas City, the defensive coordinator had prior experience as a head coach, though it didn’t unfold as he had hoped. He served as head coach for the St. Louis Rams (now the Los Angeles Rams) from 2009 to 2011 and had a brief stint with the New York Giants in 2017.

During his three-year tenure with the Rams, Spagnuolo struggled to find success, amassing a record of just 10 wins and 38 losses, and failing to lead the team to the playoffs. His time with the Giants was also challenging, where he recorded just one win in four games as interim head coach. These setbacks led him to shift focus to his strengths as a Defensive Coordinator—a decision that marked a turning point in his career.

The Saints will travel to Missouri to play at Arrowhead Stadium on Monday night and their roster includes several players who have played for the Kansas City Chiefs, including Super Bowl winners. Jones showed that he doesn’t forget them and dedicated a few words to them.

“It is good to face your former teammates with whom you played and achieved so much. But it’s also a challenge. We want to make sure we get a win. We’re looking forward to it and maybe we’ll have a chat after the game,” defensive tackle Jones warned his former teammates now with Saints.

The former Mississippi State Bulldogs has a special memory for his former Chiefs teammate Saints defensive tackle Khalen Saunders. “I’m going to give him a call to see if he can give me any insight on his involvement in the offense, he’s a good kid. We became close friends during his time in Kansas City and I wish him nothing but success as he moves forward in this league. He will be my opponent on Monday,” Jones stated.

Which New Orleans Saints players shared a team with Chris Jones on the Chiefs?

In addition to defensive tackle Khalen Saunders, who is a close friend of Jones, the Saints have three other former Chiefs on their roster: linebacker Willie Gay, defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon and safety Tyrann Mathieu.

What’s next for the Kansas City Chiefs?

The Kansas City Chiefs are aiming to extend their unbeaten streak into the 2024 NFL regular season. They join the Minnesota Vikings as the only two teams to start 4-0. Here are their next five games.

• Week 5 – Kansas City Chiefs at New Orleans Saints (10/7)
• Week 6 – Kansas City Chiefs at San Francisco 49ers (10/20)
• Week 7 – Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders (10/27)
• Week 8 – Kansas City Chiefs at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11/4)
• Week 9 – Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos (11/10)