With spring turning to summer, football season is creeping ever closer. Writers and fans alike will soon issue predictions on everything from playoff teams to awards to the identity of the Super Bowl halftime performer.
At least one prognostication, however, has already been issued—by a player.
Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones boldly announced Wednesday evening on Twitter that he intends to win the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year award this season.
"I'll win DPOY this year," he wrote, to over 1,400 likes in under 20 minutes.
"You might need damn near 20 of them thangs," a Kansas City fan wrote in the replies, presumably referring to sacks.
"Okay," Jones replied.
I'll win DPOY this year
— Chris Jones (@StoneColdJones) June 29, 2023
Okay
— Chris Jones (@StoneColdJones) June 29, 2023
Jones has been knocking on the door of the NFL's most prestigious defensive honor for years. He made second team All-Pro in 2018, 2020 and 2021, and reached the Pro Bowl every year from '19 to '21. In 2022, he made a significant leap, finishing third in Defensive Player of the Year voting after racking up 15.5 sacks for the Super Bowl champions.
Despite his optimism, history is not on Jones's side: no Chief has ever won the AP's Defensive Player of the Year award.
