Kansas City Chiefs may soon have the opportunity to reunite with a familiar and trusted face. Former Chiefs defensive tackle Khalen Saunders officially cleared waivers on Friday, opening the door for a potential return to the franchise just as the team continues its push for AFC supremacy. With Kansas City battling depth issues on the defensive line due to recent injuries, the timing could not be more significant.
Khalen Saunders clears waivers, becomes free to sign anywhere
Saunders was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday, with the transaction subject to waivers due to being processed after the NFL trade deadline. A vested veteran, the 29-year-old is now free to sign with any team’s 53-man roster or practice squad.
The former third-round pick has remained upbeat despite the sudden turn in his season. Sharing a message of gratitude on his official X account, Saunders wrote, “Thankful through it all. It’s all love, (Duval).” The defensive tackle appeared in 38 regular-season games across four seasons with Kansas City, becoming a valued contributor during the team’s Super Bowl runs.
Chris Jones leads locker room support for a Saunders reunion
Inside the Kansas City Chiefs’ facility, interest in Khalen Saunders’ return is far from subtle. Star defensive tackle Chris Jones openly campaigned for Kansas City to bring him back during his Thursday press conference, building on his previous efforts to help bring Mike Pennel back to the roster.
“We’ve got to get my brother back,” Jones said, emphasizing both familiarity and fit within Steve Spagnuolo’s defensive system.
The sentiment was shared by linebacker Nick Bolton, who praised Saunders’ past impact in Kansas City. “When he was here, he was a huge contributor for us on defense,” Bolton noted, highlighting both his performance and his seamless integration into the locker room.
Defensive end Mike Danna echoed those remarks, calling Saunders a foundational piece of chemistry during his early career. “He’s part of the family,” Danna said. “To have a person like that back — that’d be awesome.”
Kansas City Chiefs’ defensive depth makes his return even more logical
Kansas City’s defensive front took a major hit in mid-October when rookie Omarr Norman-Lott suffered an ACL tear, ending his season. The Chiefs’ response included bringing back veteran Mike Pennel, but the unit could still use another reliable run defender.
Khalen Saunders fits that description perfectly. His physicality, experience in the scheme, and reputation as one of the team’s “energy-givers”—a favorite term of head coach Andy Reid—make him a natural candidate to reinforce Kansas City Chiefs’ rotation. While no decision has been announced, the momentum—and the locker room—appear firmly in Saunders’ corner.