Could Former Chiefs Run-Stopper Return to Kansas City?

The Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday are releasing familiar face.

Oct 7, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Khalen Saunders (50) intercepts a pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (9) during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – From the makes-too-much-sense department comes this bit of Thursday morning news: Khalen Saunders is looking for another team.

According to insider Tom Peliserro, the Jaguars will release the veteran defensive tackle. But whether that evolves into a reunion with the Chiefs, who drafted Saunders in 2019, faces a hurdle as big as his 324-pound frame: Waivers.

The Jaguars are releasing veteran DT Khalen Saunders, per source.

A two-time Super Bowl champion in Kansas City, Saunders now heads to waivers with a chance to help another contender in a playoff push. pic.twitter.com/IFYI1O7iy6

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 13, 2025

Why he needs to pass through waivers

Even though Saunders is a vested veteran, because the transaction will occur on Thursday, after the Nov. 4 trade deadline, he has to pass through waivers before becoming a free agent. All 32 teams will have an option to claim Saunders, likely on Friday.

The odd man out in Jacksonville, Saunders may have asked for his release – just like Mike Pennel last month. A healthy inactive for all but two Jaguars games this season, Saunders was at the bottom of the depth chart behind Arik Armstead, DaVon Hamilton, Maason Smith and Austin Johnson. Saunders finished with three total tackles in two Jaguars games.

Sep 7, 2025; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Khalen Saunders Sr. (96) takes the field prior to a game against the Carolina Panthers at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

A third-round selection (84th overall) in that 2019 draft out of Western Illinois, Saunders helped the Chiefs to Super Bowl victories as a rookie and again in 2022, when he posted a career-best 3½ sacks.

He left Kansas City following the Super Bowl win over Philadelphia to sign as an unrestricted free agent with New Orleans in March of 2023 and played two seasons for the Saints. In 30 games there from 2023-24, Saunders registered 100 tackles with two sacks and a memorable first-career interception, on a Monday night at Arrowhead Stadium last season against the Chiefs.

Oct 7, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Khalen Saunders (50) on the sidelines against the Kansas City Chiefs during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

The Jaguars acquired Saunders in a mid-August trade before the ’25 season, sending center Luke Fortner to New Orleans.

As Nick Jacobs noted, the timing of Saunders’ release could benefit the Chiefs. Most of the teams playing this week have already installed their defensive gameplans. Adding Saunders to a defensive-line rotation on a Friday doesn’t make sense for most organizations.

Khalen Saunders notes - EVERY player goes through waivers after the trade deadline. But releasing him on a Thursday/ claim on a Friday helps him have a better chance of getting to the team of his choosing since most will be through 3/4 of installs for Sunday.

— Nick Jacobs (@Jacobs71) November 13, 2025

What does make sense is a return to Kansas City, where the Chiefs could use help stopping the run. They currently rank 12th in the league (104.6 rushing yards allowed per game), but just gave up 114 yards to Buffalo’s James Cook.

Plenty of big-time RBs this month

Plus, three of the NFL’s six leading rushers are in their immediate future, Denver’s J.K. Dobbins on Sunday, the Colts’ Jonathan Taylor on Nov. 23 and the Cowboys’ Javonte Williams on Nov. 27.

Over his first four seasons in Kansas City (2019-22), Saunders registered 4½ sacks, 81 tackles and two pass breakups. He also sacked Jalen Hurts in the Super Bowl 57 victory over Philadelphia.

Sep 25, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) is brought down by Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Khalen Saunders (99) on during a game against at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jenna Watson/IndyStar Staff-Imagn Images | Jenna Watson/IndyStar Staff-Imagn Images

Earlier this season, the Chiefs lost promising rookie defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott to an ACL injury. And later last month, the Chiefs lost practice-squad defensive tackle Brodric Martin when the Pittsburgh Steelers signed him to their 53-man roster.

In addition to re-signing Pennel, the Chiefs also traded to re-acquire Derrick Nnadi from the Jets just before the season.

Feb 12, 2023; Glendale, AZ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) throws a pass against Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Khalen Saunders (99) during the first half in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Breen/The Republic via Imagn Images | The Republic-Imagn Images

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