Chiefs’ Spagnuolo Defends Jones Amid Criticism Over Performance Grades

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo defended All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones on Wednesday, following criticisms of Jones’ performance ratings from Pro Football Focus.

After the Chiefs’ week three victory over the New York Giants, Spagnuolo was asked how he felt about Jones’ ratings, which some claim suggest a lackluster start to his season. “What grades are you using?” he retorted, pointing out that many rely on Pro Football Focus for evaluations.

Spagnuolo questioned the reliability of those grades, stating, “I just think there’s a margin of error when you don’t know exactly what the player was told,” highlighting that what might seem like a mistake could actually be a fulfillment of their assignment.

In the 22-9 win against the Giants, Jones showcased his impact by securing his first sack of the season, tackling quarterback Russell Wilson during a crucial third-quarter moment. Despite only recording five tackles so far, three for loss, Spagnuolo affirmed that Jones is fulfilling his duties, even as he faces double teams more than usual.

“There are a lot of things that PFF puts out that are valuable and useful,” Spagnuolo said. “But I think there’s a lot of room for debate when it comes to grading performance.”

In their upcoming game, the Chiefs (1-2) will face the Baltimore Ravens (1-2) at Arrowhead Stadium. Spagnuolo believes that with a game plan suited to their strengths, the defense will show significant improvement. “We got trust in every single one of the guys in the D-line room,” he said, signaling positivity about the team’s progression.

Jones aims to continue his growth as they prepare to face Lamar Jackson, a player Karlaftis acknowledged poses unique challenges. “It’s going to take everything we got to stop him,” he stated, underscoring the need for discipline and execution.