He is the anchor of a dynasty. If you’ve watched a single Kansas City Chiefs game in the last decade, you know exactly who number 95 is. He’s the guy making life miserable for quarterbacks while sporting a grin that says he’s having the time of his life. But every time a big contract comes up or a slow start to a season happens, the same question starts trending: how old is chris jones, and is he finally hitting that "veteran wall"?
People get weird about age in the NFL. They treat 30 like it’s 90.
The Current Reality of Chris Jones
Right now, Christopher Deshun Jones is 31 years old. He was born on July 3, 1994, in Houston, Mississippi. Honestly, if you look at the way he played in the 2025 season, you’d have a hard time believing he’s on the "wrong side" of 30. He just wrapped up a year where he remained the most feared interior pass rusher in the league, consistently drawing double teams that would make a normal human collapse.
It’s kinda funny. We talk about him like he’s this ancient tribal elder of the Chiefs' defense, but he’s still technically in what many sports scientists consider the "extended prime" for defensive tackles. Unlike wide receivers who rely on twitchy, explosive speed that can vanish overnight, guys like Jones rely on "grown man strength" and technical leverage. That stuff tends to age like a fine Napa Valley red.
Why Everyone Is Googling His Age
There are a few reasons why how old is chris jones has become such a hot search term lately. First off, there’s the longevity factor. Jones was drafted in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Think about that for a second. In NFL years, 2016 feels like the Mesozoic Era. Most of the guys he was drafted with are currently sitting on a couch or doing regional car commercials.
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Then you’ve got the contract. When he signed that monster five-year extension worth nearly $160 million—with $95 million of that guaranteed—the critics came out of the woodwork. "You don't pay a 30-year-old tackle that kind of money," they said. Well, the Chiefs did. And so far, the investment has looked like a genius move.
He isn't just a "big guy" anymore. He’s a technician. He’s learned how to preserve his body. If you watch his snaps from 2024 and 2025, you’ll notice he’s playing smarter, not just harder. He knows when to sell out for the sack and when to play the long game.
The "Other" Chris Joneses
If you're confused because you saw a Chris Jones who looks like he’s 50, or maybe one who’s a punter, you aren’t crazy. The name is incredibly common. It’s basically the "John Smith" of the sporting and entertainment world.
For instance, there’s the former Dallas Cowboys punter, Chris Jones. He was born in 1989, making him 36. He’s been out of the league for a few years now, but fans still mix them up in the stats. Then you have Chris Jones the British filmmaker (born in 1967), who is currently 58. And let’s not forget the Christopher Jones who starred in Ryan’s Daughter back in the day; he passed away in 2014 at the age of 72.
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But when we’re talking about the guy sacking Patrick Mahomes' rivals? That's the 31-year-old from Mississippi State.
Career Timeline and Age Milestones
Let’s break down the journey, because the context of his age matters for his Hall of Fame trajectory:
- Age 21: Drafted in 2016. He was a "raw" prospect with high upside.
- Age 24: The breakout. In 2018, he set an NFL record by recording a sack in 11 consecutive games.
- Age 25: He wins his first Super Bowl (LIV), proving he can perform on the biggest stage.
- Age 28-29: Back-to-back Super Bowl titles (LVII and LVIII). At this point, he isn't just a star; he's a legend.
- Age 30: Signs the massive extension that keeps him in KC through his early 30s.
- Age 31 (Current): Still a First-team All-Pro caliber player and the vocal leader of the locker room.
Can He Keep This Up?
The big worry for Chiefs fans is the "cliff." Most defensive tackles start to see a massive dip in production around age 32 or 33. The joints start to ache a bit more. The recovery time between Sundays gets longer.
But Jones is built differently. He’s 6'6" and over 310 pounds, but he moves with the fluidity of a much smaller man. He’s also been relatively healthy. Aside from some nagging wrist and groin issues that usually pop up mid-season, he hasn't had the kind of catastrophic knee or Achilles injuries that end careers early.
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Basically, if you’re wondering how old is chris jones because you’re worried he’s retiring soon, you can probably breathe easy. He’s under contract until 2028. By the time that deal ends, he’ll be 34. If he plays out the whole thing, he’ll likely finish his career as the greatest defensive player in Chiefs history, potentially surpassing even the great Derrick Thomas in terms of total impact.
How to Track His Longevity
If you want to see if age is finally catching up to him, don't look at the sack totals. Sacks are fluky. Look at "Pass Rush Win Rate" and "Double Team Rate."
As of late 2025, Chris Jones was still being double-teamed on more than 30% of his snaps—the highest mark for any interior lineman in the AFC. When teams stop double-teaming him, that’s when you’ll know he’s actually "old." Until then, he’s just a seasoned vet who happens to be 31 and still better than everyone else.
To get the most out of following his career from here, watch how the Chiefs rotate him. In recent seasons, Steve Spagnuolo has been more intentional about giving Jones "breather" snaps in the first half to keep him fresh for the fourth quarter. It’s a strategy that has clearly worked, as Jones seems to find his "second wind" right when the opposing offensive line is gasping for air.
Keep an eye on the official NFL injury reports and the Chiefs' active roster updates throughout the 2026 season to see how his snap count is being managed. This is the best indicator of how the team views his physical peak as he moves deeper into his 30s.