Chiefs DT Chris Jones has one million reasons to make the AFC Championship Game his best performance ever

Kansas City Chiefs DT Chris Jones should have some extra motivation to put up his best possible performance in the AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens.  Not only is a trip to Super Bowl LVIII on the line, but Jones can earn a $1 million contract incentive if his team heads to Las Vegas, […]

Charles Goldman — NFL Managing Editor
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Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Chiefs DT Chris Jones should have some extra motivation to put up his best possible performance in the AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens. 

Not only is a trip to Super Bowl LVIII on the line, but Jones can earn a $1 million contract incentive if his team heads to Las Vegas, Nevada as one of this year's Super Bowl teams. Jones' restructured contract at the onset of the 2023 NFL season included a two-part $1 million incentive. He's already accomplished the first part, which is to be named a First-Team All-Pro. The second part of the incentive is to appear in a Super Bowl. 

So why is this information significant for the upcoming AFC title game? Money is a motivator for everyone on this planet, but it's proven to be a major motivator for Jones. The last time Jones had a $1 million contract incentive on the line, it motivated a herculean effort. In Week 18 against the Chargers, Jones needed a single sack to receive a $1 million contract incentive. It took him 2.5 quarters of play to get that sack, but he made life a living hell for LA's O-Line and QB in that period. 

According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Jones recorded 12 pressures on 31 pass rushes against the Chargers. That tied for the most pressures by a pass rusher in a single game this season.

Now, it's entirely different going up against an AFC West rival who has nothing to play for and a team that's competing for Super Bowl LVIII. That said, there's something to Jones playing with his hair on fire with a big incentive on the line. His teammates certainly think he'll be a force to be reckoned with on Sunday, though they might have different takes on his motivations.

Chiefs teammates don't entirely see eye to eye 

Speaking to media members on Friday, Chiefs veteran DE Mike Danna was asked about what he expected from Jones knowing that he had another $1 million incentive on the line.

"I expect him to be a dominant force," Danna said. "You know how that man can be when he's got a full head of steam. He gets the job done when he has something he wants to accomplish. He's going to be a force. Seeing No. 95 go to work every week is a pleasure, man. Seeing him on Sunday, it's going to be exciting to see." 

Chiefs second-year DE George Karlaftis doesn't necessarily disagree that Jones will be a dominant force, he just doesn't think the incentive will change anything about his performance. He thinks he's as consistent as can be.

"I don't think it changes anything that he does," Karlaftis said. "He's going to play his heart out regardless of whether it's the preseason, first game of the season, the AFC championship, that's what he's always going to do. I don't think it changes anything for him." 

There has been some talk about Jones' run splits and performance by quarter lately, but it's clear that Jones' teammates know exactly the type of player he is.

"He's had a phenomenal season," Karlaftis said of Jones. "Like you said, First-Team All-Pro. He's got all the accolades. He just opens so much up because he requires so much attention. Aside from the stuff he does on the field, he's just a great teammate, a great leader. Just such a great presence to have around. We love Chris."

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