NFL Coach: Chiefs' Chris Jones 'in a League of His Own' After Aaron Donald Retired

The retirement of former Los Angeles Rams star Aaron Donald left a void that Kansas City Chiefs star Chris Jones is poised to fill.

The Athletic's Jeff Howe spoke to a rival coach who said, "Chris Jones is now in a league of his own on the inside."

Howe added that the five-time Pro Bowler "could strengthen his Hall of Fame candidacy by taking over as the league's best defensive tackle."

Jones is coming off his second straight first-team All-Pro selection after he posted 30 tackles, 10.5 sacks and four passes defended in 2023. He helped lead the Chiefs to a second straight Super Bowl title, their third championship in the last five years.

Kansas City rewarded Jones with a five-year, $158.75 million contract in March that includes $101 million in guarantees and makes him the highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history at $31.75 million per year, surpassing Donald's average of $31.6 million.

Donald was a Pro Bowler in each of his 10 years in the NFL, an eight-time first-team All-Pro selection and a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, so Jones has a ways to go before he can match his resume.

Another huge year in 2024 could put Jones on the path to being regarded as one of the best defensive players of this generation alongside Donald.