If you can’t handle the heat, step away from social media. That’s exactly what Chiefs’ DT Chris Jones did after facing a wave of criticism. Many fans had pointed fingers at him for appearing to give up against Trevor Lawrence’s game-winning touchdown run on Sunday. As the Jaguars QB stumbled twice but ran for a TD, Jones stood and watched.

The game was done. While the Jaguars celebrated, the Chiefs simply walked away, reflecting on the missed opportunity. That stands true for Jones, too. He wiped out his presence on social media not too long after, and now Patrick Mahomes has shared his take about it.

“Yeah. I mean, it can be toxic, for sure, I mean, being on social media and seeing stuff,” the QB opined in the press conference before Wednesday’s practice. “At the end of the day, I know who I am, and I know the amount of work that I put in, and I can live with myself and live with the results.

“And so, I feel like, if you’re putting in the work and you’re doing whatever you can to leave everything on the football field, you can live with the results of a win, loss, or whatever anyone has to say. Because you know the type of effort that you’re putting in every single day.”

The football community is as ruthless as it is passionate. One week, they’ll celebrate you like a hero, and the next, they will turn on you after a single bad play. A quick scroll through a player’s social media feed after a tough loss is all it takes to see the wave of ‘bench him’ comments flooding in.

It’s brutal, and for a player, that noise can eat away confidence fast. But when you are competing at the highest level, criticism is part of the deal. All that matters is having confidence in the work you put in every single day. And Chris Jones has been that kind of player.

He is a 31-year-old veteran in his 10th season. He is also a three-time All-Pro and one of the most dominant defensive linemen of this era. Jones embodies competitiveness and grit. So, if someone like him felt the need to disappear from social media, you know the judgment hit a nerve.

There is no update as to when Jones might be back on social media, but perhaps a win against the Lions in Week 6 could do the trick. All that being said, the criticism came at a time when he is emotionally vulnerable.

It is a tough time for Chris Jones

The Week 5 heartbreak was tough. Jones’ lack of reaction became the image of the loss because he was clearly close enough to at least make an attempt to prevent it. However, Jones is also facing a difficult time in his personal life.

His aunt, Angela, died while watching the Chiefs play against the Giants on Sept. 21. The two were very close, and the player reminisced about staying with her for five or six years of his childhood. She supported his football career and would watch his games when possible.

Jones had learned about her death right after his team defeated the Giants. She passed away because of a heart attack.

He had traveled to Mississippi to attend her funeral and, just hours later, he helped his team defeat the Ravens. While he may not have been quite himself against the Jaguars, one can only hope he comes back stronger than ever.

Grief shows up at mysterious times, and perhaps because he is already going through a lot, a social media break might help him.