The truth, as the All-Pro defensive tackle learned, was something entirely different.
Sunday’s 16-13 loss to the Chargers dropped the Chiefs to 6-8 and officially eliminated the defending AFC Champions from playoff contention, which was news to Kansas City’s defensive captain.
‘We still have a fighting chance,’ Jones told reporters before being corrected. ‘Oh we’re out of the playoffs?’
Fans were naturally flabbergasted to learn of Jones’ ignorance on the subject.
‘[So-called] leader on the team doesn’t know this[?]’ one fan asked on X. ‘How is that possible[?]’
Chris Jones was unaware that the Chiefs were eliminated from playoff contention Sunday
One Chiefs fan acknowledged Jones is probably a Hall of Famer, before writing: ‘[He] should be able to look up the standings on his own like all of us do.’
And that may not have been the worst news on Sunday in Kansas City. Coach Andy Reid & Co. had their misery compounded when quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a season-ending ACL tear as he tried to keep the team’s playoff hopes alive in the fourth quarter.
Mahomes appeared to suffer an injury to his left knee as he hit the turf at an awkward angle following a tackle by Chargers defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand.
The three-time Super Bowl winner stayed down on the turf clutching his knee in pain as Chiefs medical staff rushed to his side.
In an instant blow to Kansas City fans’ hopes, Minshew immediately began warming up on the sidelines as Mahomes remained down and was examined.
Mahomes eventually managed to get to his feet and hobbled to the sidelines. The devastated signal caller was then seen leaving the field with a towel over his head and was helped to the locker room.
Mahomes went down late in the game with a knee injury which, turned out to be serious
Patrick Mahomes (15) and the Kansas City Chiefs have been eliminated from the playoffs
It’s the first time since 2014 that Travis Kelce and the Chiefs will not play in the postseason
Following an MRI scan on his left knee, the Chiefs have now officially confirmed that the signal caller suffered a torn ACL and will be exploring surgical options.
In the aftermath of the crushing defeat, Mahomes had vowed to come back stronger as he thanked fans for their support.
‘Don’t know why this had to happen,’ Mahomes shared on social media a couple of hours after the heartbreak. ‘And not going to lie it’s hurts.
‘But all we can do now is Trust in God and attack every single day over and over again. Thank you Chiefs kingdom for always supporting me and for everyone who has reached out and sent prayers. I Will be back stronger than ever.’
Minshew and the Chiefs will head to Nashville on Sunday to face the Tennessee Titans before wrapping up their season with games against the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders.