Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones was left shocked on Friday afternoon when he learned that another coach could be leaving the team.
Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen had an interview with the Washington Commanders for their vacant defensive coordinator position, as per an ESPN report.
And Jones took to X in shock at the news, retweeting the news shared by Adam Schefter and writing: ‘Oh s***’.
Cullen has served as a defensive coordinator in the NFL before with the Jacksonville Jaguars but has otherwise been the line coach for a number of teams.
He joined Andy Reid’s setup in 2022 and helped guide the team to two Super Bowl victories during his time at Arrowhead Stadium. And unlike Embree, it is clear that the players rate him too.
Kansas City Chiefs star Chris Jones seemed unimpressed that Joe Cullen could be leaving
Defensive tackle Jones made his feelings very clear about the ongoing Chiefs rebuild
Defensive line coach Joe Cullen was interviewed by the Washington Commanders on Friday
The Chiefs are expected to oversee a dramatic overhaul this offseason, both in playing and coaching personnel. Wide receivers coach Connor Embree lost his job earlier this week and it later emerged that the players he was responsible for had not gelled with his methods.
The highly-rated offensive coordinator Matt Nagy is a leading contender for the head coach role at Tennessee Titans, who have also requested to interview defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
The Chiefs ended the regular season with a disastrous 6-11 record in a campaign where star quarterback Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL, leaving him in a race against time to make the start of the 2026 campaign.
There will inevitable be changes in playing personnel by the time that first game of 2026 rolls around, whether Mahomes is ready to play or not.
The biggest question at present is over tight end Travis Kelce, who could choose to retire at age 36.
But Jones was insistent that Kelce will return. He told reporters after the final game of the season against Las Vegas Raiders: ‘I’m not buying it. He’ll be back next year.
‘I can’t promise you anything about another man, but this year was a tricky year for us. I got faith in my dog coming back.
‘He brings a lot of energy, a lot of passion to the game. One of the best tight ends to ever play the game, if not the best tight end to ever play the game. I have so much respect and love for him.’
