But the Chiefs’ defensive line definitely needs pass-rushing help. According to Pro Football Focus, Allen was under pressure for just eight of Sunday’s 30 dropbacks. On those, he was 3-for-5 for 45 yards and took three sacks. But when kept clean, he was 20-for-21 for 228 yards and a touchdown.
Sunday wasn’t an outlier. Kansas City has 20 sacks — which ranks 17th — but that feels misleading. According to PFR, only the Las Vegas Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals, Jets, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers have lower pressure rates — and no team has fewer hurries.
Why? The short answer is that Chris Jones is no longer playing at a Hall of Fame level — and he’s in the second year of a five-year contract worth more than $150 million. Halfway through the season, Jones has two sacks and 20 hurries. He had 15 sacks and 53 hurries in the season before his current deal was signed.
The Chiefs’ defensive structure depends on Jones sustaining that level of play into his early 30s. Unfortunately, it hasn’t played out that way.
Jones isn’t the only weak spot. Kansas City whiffed on Felix Anudike-Uzomah in the first round — and he’s out for the year. Omarr Norman-Lott’s injury eliminated interior depth, Mike Danna seems to have lost a step and Charles Omenihu hasn’t returned to his 2024 form. Finally, replacing Tershawn Wharton’s 2024 production — nine sacks and 28 hurries — has been more difficult than expected.