By ALEX RASKIN, US SPORT NEWS EDITOR
Published: | Updated:
The Kansas City Chiefs’ road to another Super Bowl might be off to a rocky start if recent viral footage from training camp is anything to go by.
A TikTok video surfaced Friday showing veteran defensive tackle Chris Jones excoriating newly re-signed edge rusher George Karlaftis over a perceived lack of effort.
Jones, a former team captain and one of the NFL’s most prominent defensive stars, appeared to take issue with Karlaftis asking out of a drill.
‘When I was 24, 25, I was doing every f***ing drive full speed,’ Jones yelled at the 24-year-old Karlaftis. ‘You’re 24, 25 and you’re asking for break.’
Just weeks removed from signing a $93 million extension with the Chiefs, Karlaftis tried to defend himself, but the 31-year-old Jones wasn’t interested in his response.
‘I ain’t hearing it,’ Jones said. ‘How are you on the field with no helmet? You can’t play? Well get 15 sacks then. I ain’t seen it. I ain’t seen it once.’
Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) and Kansas City Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis (56) watch a drill on Friday, days before their heated sideline exchange
Karlaftis (left) and Jones (right) are seen on the field prior to their Super Bowl LIX loss
Karlaftis’ response wasn’t quite audible, but Jones didn’t seem to appreciate it, regardless.
‘Who gives a f***?’ Jones said. ‘Do it again.’
While Jones doesn’t appear to be holding back from Karlaftis, his tirade can also be viewed as an older veteran challenging an emerging star to be better. Karlaftis has 24.5 sacks in the regular season and another eight in the postseason over his first three NFL seasons, all three of which ended with a Super Bowl berth.
The two-time Super Bowl champion was rewarded four-year extension that included $63 million in guarantees.
After Karlaftis signed the deal, Jones playfully interrupted his teammate’s interview with assembled media to insist reporters refer to him as ‘G-Money’ rather than ‘George.’
‘No, no, no, please don’t call me that,’ Karlaftis laughed in response on July 22.
Karlaftis later told media that Jones has called him ‘just about everything.’
The Chiefs are in action Saturday night against the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale. Both teams are expected to give playing time to starters, although how much remains to be seen.