Ronald Jones Makes Team Cut for the Kansas City Chiefs

In the NFL, preseason roster cuts are a high-stakes process where hope, talent, and strategy collide—each team must trim its roster from 90 players to 53 by the league’s deadline, and every decision sends a message about priorities. This year, one of the more notable moves for the Kansas City Chiefs was their choice to keep running back Ronald Jones, as he survived the final team cut to earn a spot on the 2025 regular-season roster. The decision, announced by the Chiefs’ front office on August 30, came after Jones turned in a standout preseason, showcasing the speed and versatility that made him a Super Bowl champion with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. For Jones, who joined the Chiefs on a one-year, $1.2 million contract in March, making the cut is a validation of his comeback effort after a quiet 2024 season with the Dallas Cowboys. For the Chiefs, it’s a strategic win—adding a proven veteran to a running back room that values depth and adaptability. Ronald Jones Makes Team Cut for the Kansas City Chiefs isn’t just a roster update; it’s a look at how a player’s resilience and a team’s need for reliability can align to create an impactful partnership.

Ronald Jones Makes Team Cut for the Kansas City Chiefs gains depth by examining Jones’ preseason performance and fit with the Chiefs’ offense. From the first preseason game against the Cleveland Browns, Jones made his case: he rushed for 62 yards on 11 carries (averaging 5.6 yards per attempt) and caught 3 passes for 28 yards, highlighting his ability to contribute in both the run and pass games. In the final preseason matchup against the Green Bay Packers, he delivered a statement performance, rushing for 89 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries, including a 22-yard burst that showcased his elite speed (he ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at his 2018 pro day). What stood out to Chiefs coaches wasn’t just the stats—it was Jones’ understanding of Andy Reid’s offense. He quickly picked up the playbook, mastered his blocking assignments, and showed chemistry with quarterback Patrick Mahomes on screen passes and check-downs. “Ronald came in here ready to work,” Reid said during a post-cut press conference. “He didn’t just make plays—he showed he understands how we do things. That’s what you need from a veteran in this system.” Jones’ fit was particularly important: the Chiefs’ offense relies on running backs who can handle third-down duties, and Jones’ pass-catching ability (he’s averaged 25 receptions per season over his career) made him a better fit than younger competitors like undrafted rookie Devin Mockobee, who was waived to make room for Jones.

A critical factor in Ronald Jones Makes Team Cut for the Kansas City Chiefs is the Chiefs’ running back depth and the gap Jones fills. The Chiefs entered training camp with a clear top two: starter Isiah Pacheco (who rushed for 1,120 yards in 2024) and veteran backup Kareem Hunt (a dual-threat who excels in short-yardage situations). But they needed a third running back who could step in if either Pacheco or Hunt got injured, and who could contribute on special teams—two boxes Jones checked. Unlike younger options, Jones has playoff experience: he rushed for 113 yards in the Buccaneers’ 2020 Super Bowl run, proving he can perform in high-pressure moments. He also brings special teams value, having played on kickoff return units for Tampa Bay and Dallas. The Chiefs’ coaching staff noted that Jones’ ability to handle multiple roles made him irreplaceable. “We need guys who can do more than one thing,” said running backs coach Deland McCullough. “Ronald can run, catch, block, and help on special teams. That’s the kind of versatility that wins games in November and December.” This depth is critical for the Chiefs, who play in a physical AFC West and need to keep their top running backs fresh for the playoffs. By keeping Jones, they avoided the risk of relying on an unproven rookie if an injury occurred early in the season.

Ronald Jones Makes Team Cut for the Kansas City Chiefs is particularly significant for the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive flexibility during the regular season. Reid’s offense thrives on keeping defenses guessing, and Jones adds a new layer of unpredictability. Pacheco is a physical downhill runner, Hunt is a power back who excels in the red zone, and Jones is a speedster who can stretch the field with outside runs and turn short passes into long gains. This trio gives Reid multiple ways to attack defenses: against teams with strong interior run defenses, he can lean on Jones’ outside speed; against teams with weak pass defenses, he can use Jones as a receiving threat out of the backfield. In Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jones is expected to see 8-10 touches per game, primarily on third downs and in two-minute drills. For the Kansas City Chiefs, this flexibility isn’t just about having options—it’s about controlling the tempo of the game. Jones’ speed can force defenses to shift their alignment, creating gaps for Pacheco and Hunt to exploit. “Having Ronald gives us a different look,” Mahomes said. “Defenses can’t just key on one running back’s style. They have to prepare for three different players, and that’s a big advantage for us.” This advantage is why the Chiefs were willing to keep Jones over younger, cheaper options—his ability to change the game’s dynamic is worth the investment.

Another vital dimension of Ronald Jones Makes Team Cut for the Kansas City Chiefs is the redemption narrative that surrounds Jones and how it aligns with the Chiefs’ culture of second chances. After being a second-round pick by the Buccaneers in 2018, Jones showed promise (rushing for 978 yards in 2020) but struggled with consistency, leading to his departure in 2022. His stints with the Los Angeles Rams and Dallas Cowboys were underwhelming—he rushed for just 312 yards combined in 2023 and 2024—and many analysts questioned if he still had elite ability. But the Chiefs saw something in Jones: a player hungry to prove himself, with the physical tools to contribute in their system. They gave him a low-risk contract and a chance to compete, and Jones seized it. “This means everything to me,” Jones said after making the roster. “The Chiefs believed in me when not a lot of people did. I’m ready to pay that trust back every week.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, this narrative isn’t just feel-good—it’s strategic. Players with something to prove often bring extra effort, and Jones’ work ethic has already rubbed off on the team’s younger running backs. Pacheco noted that Jones “pushes me in practice every day,” and rookie Deneric Prince called Jones a “great mentor.” This culture of competition and growth is a hallmark of the Chiefs’ success, and Jones’ presence reinforces it.

Finally, Ronald Jones Makes Team Cut for the Kansas City Chiefs has long-term implications for both Jones and the Chiefs. For Jones, making the roster gives him a chance to rebuild his NFL career—if he plays well in 2025, he could earn a multi-year contract with the Chiefs or another team. For the Chiefs, it’s a reminder of the value of low-risk, high-reward signings. They didn’t overpay for Jones; they gave him a modest contract and a chance to compete, and now they have a proven veteran who can contribute immediately. This approach has been a cornerstone of the Chiefs’ roster-building philosophy: they allocate big money to stars like Mahomes and Travis Kelce, then fill depth roles with affordable veterans and developing rookies. Keeping Jones also gives the Chiefs flexibility for 2026: Pacheco is under contract through 2026, but Hunt is set to become a free agent, so Jones could step into a larger role if Hunt departs. Ronald Jones Makes Team Cut for the Kansas City Chiefs wraps up with a simple truth: in the NFL, roster cuts aren’t just about who’s the most talented—they’re about who fits best. Jones fit the Chiefs’ need for speed, versatility, and experience, and in return, the Chiefs gave him a chance to revive his career. It’s a win-win scenario, and one that could pay off big for the Chiefs when the games matter most.