Khalen Saunders leaves Chiefs for New Orleans Saints

Somehow the New Orleans Saints have money for real acquisitions these days and that includes former Chiefs lineman Khalen Saunders.

It’s no surprise to see Khalen Saunders finding a new home fairly soon in free agency. As a late bloomer in the NFL who likely has his best football in front of him, the former Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle was going to be a sought-after player in NFL free agency. As it turns out, Saunders found his new home on the first official day of the new league year—and the official start of free agency—with the New Orleans Saints.

According to NFL reporter Tom Pelissero, the Saints won the bidding and will now employ his burgeoning talents up front on a defense that features familiar faces like defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon and safety Tyrann Mathieu. Former Chiefs safety Dan Sorensen is a free agent but could return as well.

As for Saunders, he immediately strengthens the defensive interior for the Saints after blossoming in his first season under Chiefs d-line coach Joe Cullen. Saunders is a mammoth player but he somehow mixes it with great hustle and athleticism-so much so that he was called the Aaron Donald of the FCS when he was first drafted out of Western Illinois.

Saunders took some time to develop for the Chiefs, but the leap in competition and need for further coaching was always a part of his scouting report. However, it didn’t help that injuries took their toll, including a severe elbow injury during his second season, and robbed him of valuable reps.

Last year, Saunders set career highs in almost every conceivable category as he was healthy for the first time since his rookie year. He followed that up with a strong postseason run with memorable plays in big moments to help the Chiefs ultimately reach and win Super Bowl LVII.

Saunders had 48 tackles, 9 pressures, and 3.5 sacks last season for the Chiefs.