Chris Jones, as the Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle often does, came barreling through the middle of the San Francisco 49ers’ offensive line on Sunday. His quickness in getting to quarterback Brock Purdy led to a rushed and errant pass, forcing an incompletion on a likely third-down touchdown.

Jones’ ability to rush Purdy doesn’t appear in his stat line (four tackles, zero sacks), but it was a crucial play in Super Bowl 58. The incompletion forced the 49ers to settle for a field goal on their lone overtime drive, allowing quarterback Patrick Mahomes to put together a game-winning touchdown drive on the ensuing possession.

The victory cemented a dynasty – Kansas City’s third Super Bowl in five seasons – and gave Jones his third Super Bowl ring. It also sparks a debate.

Is Jones the greatest NFL player to come from Mississippi State? Here’s a look at his case.

Why Chris Jones is Mississippi State’s best NFL player

Jones is a two-time first team All-Pro selection (2022, 2023), a two-time second team All-Pro selection (2018, 2020, 2021) and a five-team Pro Bowl selection (2019-23). He has collected 75.5 regular season sacks across eight seasons – all with the Chiefs – and another 2.5 postseason sacks.

Jones and the Chiefs settled a long contract standoff, which extended into Week 1, by agreeing to a one-year, $19.5 million deal in September. If Kansas City elects to use a $32 million franchise tag on Jones, it’ll be the biggest such deal for a non-quarterback in NFL history. If a long-term deal is signed, Jones could be worth close to $200 million.

If not for Aaron Donald’s elite play with the Los Angeles Rams, Jones would be considered the NFL’s top defensive tackle. Unless 12-year veteran Fletcher Cox elects to retire and beats out Jones, there’s a chance Jones winds up as Mississippi State’s first player in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The case for Dak Prescott, Fletcher Cox

Few will argue against Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott being the best player in Mississippi State history. As a quarterback sparking a rise to No. 1 in the rankings, Prescott is – rightfully – held in high-regard among the maroon and white faithful.

Prescott finished second to Lamar Jackson in this season’s MVP voting, which is a stature Jones likely won’t reach. That has more to do with the position Jones plays than his level of production. At defensive tackle, Jones undoubtedly ranks higher than Prescott does among quarterbacks.

Cox, who helped win Super Bowl 52, has been an anchor in the Eagles’ defense since he was taken in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He was a first-team All Pro selection in 2018, a three-time second-team All Pro pick (2014, 2015, 2017) and a member of the NFL’s 2010 All-Decade Team.

Longevity is praise-worthy, but the case could be made that Jones has already surpassed Cox among NFL greats.

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What about the pre-2000s stars?

Receiver Eric Moulds, linebackers D.D. Lewis and Joe Furtunato and offensive lineman Kent Hull carry the case for pre-2000s Mississippi State players who could be the program’s top NFL talents.

Hull combined for four All Pro selections in his career with the Bills (1986-96). Hull, who played at MSU from 1979-82 and died in 2011, is still honored today with the Kent Hull Trophy – awarded every season to the best collegiate offensive lineman in Mississippi.

Moulds is undoubtedly the program’s top professional at his position, recording nearly 10,000 receiving yards across 12 seasons.

If winning is a strong piece in Jones’ case, Lewis should be part of the conversation. In his career (1968-81), Lewis won two Super Bowls and holds the Cowboys record for playoff game appearances (27). Only Tom Brady, Adam Vinatieri, Stephen Gostkowski and Jerry Rice have appeared in more NFL playoff games.

Furunato was a five-team All Pro selection while with the Bears (1955-66) and was part of the NFL’s 1950s All-Decade Team.

Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or follow him on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, @skrajisnik3.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Why Chris Jones is Mississippi State football's greatest NFL player