The Kansas City Chiefs have always been pioneers in creative play-calling, known for daring moves like touchdown passes from a lineman or tight ends. Despite their innovative efforts, the Chiefs couldn’t make a certain play work, no matter how hard they tried or practiced. Future Hall of Fame lineman Chris Jones was tasked with passing to tight end Travis Kelce, another potential Hall of Famer. However, even after two weeks of practice, Jones struggled to deliver accurate passes, leading the Chiefs to abandon the play.
In a podcast episode titled “New Heights,” Kelce shared insights about a play called “Swingin’ D,” which he discussed alongside his brother, former Eagles center Jason Kelce, and current Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy. Nagy admitted the play was slow and ineffective, and Kelce mentioned that Jones’s throws were consistently behind him by about five yards. Both Nagy and Chiefs head coach Andy Reid agreed to shelve the play before it ever made it to a game. Jones has been a standout pro bowler for six consecutive seasons, largely because of his defensive skills, and it seems best for him to focus on defense.
Kelce expressed admiration for Jones’s defensive efforts, saying, “I don’t know what it is, but he needs to stay on the defensive side.” Despite Jones’s limitations as a passer, the Chiefs are known for their willingness to innovate and take risks, which has been a key factor in their three Super Bowl appearances over the past six years. Their creativity has yet to hold them back, so there’s no reason to expect them to stop now.
Fan Take: This story highlights the Chiefs’ relentless pursuit of innovation in the NFL, showing that even the best teams experiment with unconventional ideas. For fans, it’s a reminder that creativity drives the sport forward, and the Chiefs’ daring approach could inspire new strategies across the league.
