The Kansas City Chiefs‘ defensive line depth has been a well-known concern this season. Even Chris Jones hasn’t had his usual dominant impact, and the rotational players haven’t provided consistent production. So, when news broke that the Jacksonville Jaguars released a familiar face, Jones wasted absolutely no time putting out the call to his and Patrick Mahomes’ former teammate.

Khalen Saunders. Former 3rd round, 84th overall pick for the Kansas City Chiefs from the 2019 draft. Saunders isn’t just a familiar face for Kansas City. He’s won two Super Bowls with Jones and the Chiefs between 2019 (Super Bowl LIV) and 2022 (Super Bowl LVII).

“Gotta get my brother back… Hopefully, he’s one of those guys that we can get back in the system,” he said.

Saunders spent four years with the team, contributing to three AFC Championships as well. During that time, he posted solid numbers for a rotational piece, amassing over 181 combined tackles.

The 29-year-old defensive tackle left Kansas City in 2023, signing a three-year, $12.3 million contract with the New Orleans Saints. Earlier in August, the Saints traded him to the Jaguars to serve as depth, but he only appeared in two games for the team, recording three total tackles.

Now, as a veteran set to hit waivers with less than four years of experience, Saunders could immediately offer the Chiefs the kind of experienced, familiar reserve presence they desperately need on the interior defensive line. 

Khalen Saunders gets released by the Jaguars

Teams often make trades when players are struggling on the field or dealing with injuries, but such wasn’t the case for Saunders. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ release of Saunders was rather a strategic decision about the depth chart and roster fit.

The Jaguars’ defense has struggled with steadier pass-rush production, according to Coach Liam Coen. The front office tried to solve the problem by trading for Saunders in the offseason. But the move simply didn’t work out as planned. 

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“That’s something we definitely need to talk about as a staff and as a group,” Coen admitted after a recent loss. “That hasn’t been good enough all season and wasn’t good enough [Sunday].” 

Saunders quickly found himself on the outside of Jacksonville’s crowded defensive line rotation. Since the trade, Saunders was mostly a healthy scratch, meaning he was perfectly able to play but didn’t dress for the game because there was no roster spot for him.

While Saunders’ time in Jacksonville ended abruptly, he could reunite with the team that knows him best. Kansas City now has the option to bolster its defensive line as the team prepares for its upcoming Week 11 matchup against the Denver Broncos.