In 2019-20 they were 4th worst in the western conference, bottom 10 in the league. Sure They made the PO by virtue of the unique conditions (24 teams qualified) but they were still a bad team that year.
In 20-21 3rd worst in the "central" 11th worst in the league
Those are the 2yrs prior to his arrival
Jones came to basically a bottom 10 team.
Maybe if Toews doesn't fall of as drastically they squeeze out a wildcard PO spot, or two but there was no scenario looking at that roster they were competing long term for more than a year or two of his contract.
Debrincat was a great piece obviously but they needed a Keith and Jones has always been more of a Seabrook.
And they needed Toews to be Toews.