It cost Kansas City a lot, and what shocked Chiefs Kingdom was the last seconds of the match with the Jacksonville Jaguars when Kansas City’s defense lost its guard. The Jaguars quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, fumbled with only one yard to the end zone but managed to stand up and run in the end zone with the go-ahead touchdown. Just feet away, a defensive tackle, Chris Jones, seemed to hesitate as he thought the play was finished.
> “You can’t think that the guy’s down. You can’t think that,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said of his message to Chris Jones on Wednesday. The veteran coach’s tone wasn’t one of anger but of accountability.
### **Andy Reid Sends Clear Message to Chris Jones After Costly Chiefs Mistake**
Oct 7, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) looks at plays with offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, center, and head coach Andy Reid against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Reid’s comments came two days after the Chiefs’ heartbreaking 27–24 loss on _Monday Night Football_. Kansas City had been protecting a narrow four-point lead when Lawrence’s improbable scramble turned into the game-winning score. The play underscored a rare mental lapse from one of the Chiefs’ most dependable defensive anchors.
Jones later admitted he thought “multiple times we had him,” assuming a teammate would make the stop. But for Reid, that hesitation was unacceptable for a leader of Jones’s stature. “You have to play the play. He knows. He’s been around this a long time. That’s really what it came down to,” Reid added.
In addition to the one error, the case highlights a larger issue. After five weeks, Jones has only a single sack, seven tackles, and four tackles-for-loss with a 57.5 Pro Football Focus grade, far below his All-Pro level. Each erroneous step is paid with disciplinary and pursuit-based defense.
> Fan sentiment reflected both frustration and empathy following the loss. One fan wrote, _“Such a painful, unnecessary loss. Hoping this motivates our boys to kick it up a few notches.”_
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> Another defended Jones, saying, _“CJ will & IS harder on himself than any coach or HC COULD EVER BE. CJ will recover stronger than ever.”_
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> Others pointed to his struggles, noting, _“This man is HURTING… He just came from a funeral, hasn’t had time to heal.”_
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> Meanwhile, some were less forgiving: _“They been taught that since an early age. No excuses.”_
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> Another added bluntly, _“Unless you’re Zach Baun yeah? Cause bro was clearly trying for yards and Baun played through and helped cost the gm.”_
For now, the Chiefs regroup. These words by Reid were not aimed at bringing down his team, but to remind his team about what makes a championship football team: hard work, alertness, and no one should think that a play is over.