Chiefs' Chris Jones attributes his drive to Kobe Bryant's "Mamba Mentality"
Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones has been one of the best interior defensive linemen in recent NFL memory.
The star defensive tackle has been the leader for the Chiefs' three Super Bowl runs and has become a staple to their defense. Just this offseason, the Chiefs awarded him with a five-year, $158.75 million deal that includes $101 million in guaranteed money.
Jones was a guest on "The Rich Eisen Show" on Wednesday where he spoke about how the late great Kobe Bryant influenced his drive.
He explained how Bryant always talked about the fourth quarter and playing hard in crunch time. Jones said he views third-down situations like Kobe did the fourth quarter:
"I listen to a lot of Kobe Bryant and he just talked about certain moments, view certain things, and certain moments, you can kind of depart what it is, to pick what it is, and you kind of get an extra boost of energy. You know, Kobe talked about the fourth quarter. For me, I try to, I associate the fourth quarter with the third down, the fourth downs, critical situations where that 'Mamba Mentality' coming about for me."
Chris Jones is a future Hall-of-Famer
Chris Jones is undoubtedly a future Hall-of-Famer.
Jones was selected in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs and has been one of the best defensive players in the NFL since. He was named an All-Pro in 2018 where he recorded 15.5 sacks, but somehow wasn't named a Pro Bowler.
Jones earned his first Pro Bowl selection the following season in 2019 and has been a Pro Bowler for the last five seasons in a row. In his career, he has just as many All-Pro selections with five.
Over the course of his nine-year career, Jones has recorded 78.5 sacks, 13 forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, 282 tackles, 37 pass deflections and two interceptions. So far this season, Jones has nine total tackles, three sacks, and one forced fumble through four games.
The Chiefs are currently 4-0 and will face the New Orleans Saints on Monday. Jones has led a defense that ranks in the top eight for points allowed and rushing yards allowed per game.