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By Matthew Schmidt
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Kansas City Chiefs are just 6-7 heading to their Week 15 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, and it's looking more and more like they will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
It's becoming clear that the Chiefs are getting a bit stale as currently constructed. They were largely exposed in their blowout Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles last February, and they haven't been able to recover.
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Sweeping changes could occur in Kansas City this coming offseason, especially considering that the Chiefs are currently $43.8 million over the salary cap.
Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox feels that Kansas City may need to take drastic measures to fix its financial situation, which could include trading legendary defensive tackle Chris Jones.
"If the Chiefs want to extend their dynasty and get back in the title hunt, they need to replace some of their older and expensive players with younger and cheaper alternatives—trading Jones, for example, would save $15.6 million in cap space," Knox wrote. "Otherwise, they'll find it difficult to improve any areas of need."
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Jones signed a five-year, $158.75 million contract to remain with the Chiefs back in March 2024. The deal runs through 2028 and includes a potential out after next season.
But based on how desperately Kansas City needs to shake things up, there exists a world in which it could attempt to move Jones in the spring.
The 31-year-old is clearly declining, having logged just 22 tackles and four sacks in 13 games this season. Last year, he managed 37 tackles and five sacks in what marked his least productive year since his rookie campaign in 2016.
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Jones has been a critical piece of the Chiefs' success, helping them win three Super Bowls in six seasons between 2019 and 2024. At this point, though, it seems obvious that his best days are behind him.
The question is whether or not Kansas City would even be able to land a solid return for Jones based on his age, declining production and his contract.
For more on the Kansas City Chiefs and general NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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