This week, the New York Jets signed two-time Super Bowl champion defensive tackle Khalen Saunders.
However, before Saunders inked his deal in New York, he attempted to join another team.
“Sorry yall, i tried. 🤷🏾♂️ If only the fans were the front office. Maybe one day tho who knows,” Saunders posted on X previously Twitter.
Saunders didn’t mention a team by name, but Pete Grathoff of The Kansas City Star wrote, “that seems to be confirmation from Saunders that he won’t be back in Kansas City.”
“It seemed like a no-brainer for the Chiefs. Former Chiefs defensive lineman Khalen Saunders was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars last week, and he cleared waivers, meaning he could sign with any team,” Grathoff explained.
“Chiefs Kingdom tried willing Saunders’ return to the Chiefs, the team that drafted him and where he won two Super Bowl rings. Players in the Chiefs’ locker room also were ready to welcome back Saunders,” Grathoff revealed.
Chiefs Social Media Reacts to Missing out on Saunders
“What is [Brett] Veach doing?” Chiefs Blitz asked on social media.
“Wait, so KC looked at its d-line depth and said, ‘We’re good’?” Lead writer Matt Conner of Arrowhead Addict responded.
“This is simply incompetence by the front office,” Chiefs Hive wrote.
“This is honestly just hilarious. Player comes available at a position of need and could bolster the room and who knows the system, and we just say ‘nah’,” The Reid Option posted.
Jets Benefit From Chiefs Unwillingness to Make a Move
The Chiefs’ loss is the Jets’ gain. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Kansas City didn’t want to reunite with Saunders, but now he has a new forever home with the Jets.
The green and white officially announced the signing on November 17.
“Now somebody get me a chopped cheese and a bev. Da ocky way,” Saunders reacted to the official announcement on social media.
Candidly, I have no idea what that means. Although less interpretation was required for another Saunders social media post after he was cut by the Jaguars.
“Been in the league on active roster for 7 years off of one division 1 FCS offer. If you don’t think i know how to take advantage of an opportunity you simply haven’t paid attention. Only focused on the next one,” Saunders posted.
It sure sounds like the Jets are getting a motivated veteran at a position of need. The green and white have had depth issues at defensive tackle since the beginning of the offseason. Concerns at that position have only grown since the team shipped off Quinnen Williams in a blockbuster deal with the Dallas Cowboys.
The former Alabama product had a career day in his debut for Dallas. That is a stark reminder of what the Jets lost at the November 4 NFL trade deadline.
The Jets can’t cry over spilled milk now. Williams is gone, and the team has to move on. Saunders will provide a big presence in the middle of their defense. The Jets are taking this big man out for a test drive through the final seven games of the season.
If they like what they see, they will have first dibs on bringing him back ahead of free agency in 2026. If they don’t like what they see, then they can cut bait. It’s a low risk versus high reward move by the Jets’ front office.
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