Last month, Kansas City Chiefs star defensive tackle Chris Jones made it known that he missed veteran Mike Pennel and wanted the team to get him back. Fast forward a couple of weeks, and the Chiefs did exactly what Jones wanted: they brought back Pennel, who the Cincinnati Bengals released, showcasing the type of pull the defensive leader can have.
The Chiefs desperately needed more depth at defensive tackle following the season-ending injury to rookie Omarr Norman-Lott, making the Pennel signing a perfect fit ahead of the trade deadline.
Coming off the Week 10 bye, Jones was back in recruiter mode on Thursday, letting it be known that he wants Kansas City to bring back another familiar face in Khalen Saunders. The Jacksonville Jaguars surprisingly released the former Chiefs defensive tackle on Thursday, forcing him to clear waivers before being free to sign elsewhere.
“Gotta get my brother back… Hopefully, he’s one of those guys that we can get back in the system,” Jones said to reporters via Charles Goldman of A to Z Sports. While it's great to see Jones vouching for another one of his former teammates, it might not be a simple yes for Saunders returning to KC.
Chiefs Don’t Have Easy Path to Bring Back Khalen Saunders
Saunders began his career with the Chiefs, who took him in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft, so it's easy to see why they'd want a familiar face in the lineup. At the same time, since the 29-year-old Saunders was waived by Jacksonville and not released, he’ll now have to wait to see if any team will claim him off waivers. As it stands, Kansas City is 17th in the pecking order.
In other words, the Chiefs have to hope that the other 16 teams in front of them pass on their former defender, who has only appeared in two games with the Jags after the New Orleans Saints traded him in August. A fresh start in his old home might be exactly what he needs to flip the script on an uneventful season.
Luckily for the Chiefs, there aren’t many “contending” teams ahead of them in the waiver order. A team like the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, or New York Jets, who are playing for a top-10 pick, won’t have interest in a veteran defender unless they feel like their entire D-line is in disarray
However, a team like the Baltimore Ravens, which has been hit by injuries on the defensive front, could use Saunders as a depth piece. The Ravens sit 13th in the waiver order, making them a team to watch.
That said, if none of those teams step up to the plate and claim Saunders, the Chiefs will have a chance to reunite with Sanders, either via waiver claim or if he reaches free agency.
Looking at the Chiefs’ DT room, they could use Saunders in a rotational role as Derrick Nnadi has been disappointing (33.6 overall grade, per Pro Football Focus), along with free-agent signing Jerry Tillery, who hasn’t been much better (52.6 overall grade).
Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see what happens over the next 24 to 48 hours. Will the ex-Chief make his return to KC for the stretch run? Or will another team throw a roadblock in Jones’ reunion plans?
Either way, things are heating up for the Chiefs, and it won't be long before fans know if they can dust off their Saunders jerseys for the first time in years.