Chiefs DT Chris Jones sends message to 2026 NFL Draft prospect who says he models his game after No. 95 and aims to surpass him
Chiefs DT Chris Jones sent a message to Florida DT Caleb Banks after recent comments he made at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.
Kansas City Chiefs DT Chris Jones looks back on his NFL Scouting Combine fondly, and now he’s having fun watching the next generation of NFL stars navigate the event.
One of the biggest winners from the defensive line group was Florida DT Caleb Banks, who impressed NFL clubs with his podium session, his measurements, and his on-field workout.
Banks had some pretty big questions coming into the combine, with a lack of production despite some elite physical and athletic traits being chief among them. In three seasons at Florida, Banks appeared in 27 games, recording 46 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, one pass batted, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. He put some minds at ease with his performance and even earned a shoutout from the Chiefs star, which has meant a lot to his game and development.
Chiefs DT Chris Jones sends Florida DT Caleb Banks some words of encouragement
Speaking to CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson and former Tennessee Titans GM Ran Carthon at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, Banks was asked which NFL players he models his game after. It didn’t take him long to come up with his response.
“Definitely, after Chris Jones, for sure,” Banks said. “The athleticism that he has. How he carries himself. He’s a dog. I feel like we have similar traits. I’m not there all the way yet, but once I reach the higher end of my ceiling, I’ll be able to go out there and do what I do. I definitely feel like I’ll pass him up a little bit.”
“Ya heard that, Chris?” Carthon said. “Chris, you watching? He’s coming for you.”
Well, Chris actually heard it, or rather saw it, and responded with some words of encouragement on X (formerly Twitter).
“Keep at it!” Jones wrote, preceded by two flexing emojis.
It’s no surprise to see Jones reach out as he’s always been adamant about coaching up the next generation. Jones and Banks actually have quite a bit in common as prospects. Even beyond playstyle, size, and all of that good stuff, both players faced some of the same questions coming into the league. Jones, for instance, had some serious questions about pad level, an area Banks needs to improve at the next level if he’s to reach the higher end of his ceiling.
With Jones being the ripe old age of 31 years old, it’s hard not to wonder if the Chiefs won’t be tempted to draft Banks as an understudy. He’s aiming to not only be the next Chris Jones but to surpass him, and what better way to do that than learn from Jones directly in Kansas City? Sure, there’s a lot of projection with this pick, but that was also the case when the Chiefs selected Jones in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft out of Mississippi State. Jones had some good veterans like Allen Bailey and Dontari Poe to learn from, and he could be just that for Banks as he enters the league.
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