One of the well-covered concerns around the Kansas City Chiefs this season has been the lack of interior defensive line depth. Star defender Chris Jones hasn't had the expected impact, and the role pieces that Kansas City has rostered haven't offered a consistent level of production. It's clear that the front line could use some help, and an ex-Chief could be in line to help.
On Thursday, NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported that the Jacksonville Jaguars have put veteran defensive tackle Khalen Saunders on waivers. The Western Illinois product was drafted 84th overall by the Chiefs in 2019, playing his rookie contract and winning two Super Bowls with the franchise before experiencing stops with the Jaguars and New Orleans Saints.
For the Chiefs, this is a rare spot where their slow start to the 2025 season is going to work in their favor, currently sitting 17th in the waiver order, giving Kansas City the ability to claim Saunders over any of the league's top contenders. The only concern here is if a tanking team wants to bring in the veteran depth.
Chiefs Must Try Claiming DT Khalen Saunders After Jaguars Release
The trade deadline is gone, meaning the opportunities to add reinforcements are slim at this point in the season. That's why the Chiefs should consider making a play for Saunders, who has experience playing beneath head coach Andy Reid and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
Saunders does have some making up to do as well to Chiefs Kingdom after last season's end zone interception against Patrick Mahomes. Saunders picked off the league's best quarterback and proceeded to flash his past as a former running back, rumbling down the field for the lone exciting New Orleans play of the night. It's a moment that the Chiefs would love to see recreated, just not at their own expense.
This isn't a case of it simply being a former Kansas City champion that the organization should feel nostalgic over. He's a low-risk, high-reward option who could benefit from rejoining a franchise he's already been to the top of the mountain with. If bringing him back to town helps get his career back on track while improving the Chiefs' defensive line, it's a risk worth taking.
Besides, Saunders has only played 25 defensive snaps in two games with the Jags this season, so it isn't like they even gave him much of a fair shake before cutting ties.
At this point, Chiefs fans simply have to hope that Jones is experiencing an outlier season and will be able to turn it on when the games matter most. Regardless, there is zero question that the organization would benefit from a reunion with Saunders. Placing a waiver claim is a smart move for the franchise, giving Kansas City a chance to bring back a piece it's familiar with while hopefully fixing a growing concern on defense.
Regardless of whether it is Saunders or another surprise addition, it is clear the Chiefs need to be extremely aggressive in the next weeks of the season. They simply cannot afford to drop any further in the standings, and defensive line play has been a big reason the team is in its current position.
Adding Saunders might not solve those problems overnight, but his presence would at least help the Chiefs take a step in the right direction.