As things currently stand, the Kansas City Chiefs are on the outside looking in when it comes to the NFL playoff picture. At 5-4, they are 8th in the AFC, which is middle of the pack. They are one spot outside the final Wild Card place, which almost feels unfathomable for a Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid-led team.
An 0-2 start played a big role in where Kansas City is right now, but road losses to the Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars are proving crucial in the playoff race due to tiebreakers. Both Buffalo and Jacksonville are in Wild Card spots, just ahead of the Chiefs. While so much will likely change over the second half of the season, those two losses could play a vital role in the final standings.
But in a way, the Jaguars may have just helped the Chiefs for the rest of their season. How? On Thursday, Jacksonville released defensive tackle Khalen Saunders. Saunders couldn’t break into the defensive line rotation, playing just 25 defensive snaps all season.
Khalen Saunders could be an option for Chiefs to shore up defensive line
As many remember, Saunders was a fan favorite while with the Chiefs, where he spent the first four seasons of his career. Saunders struggled with injuries in Kansas City before breaking out in 2022, setting up a nice payday with the New Orleans Saints. While in Kansas City, Saunders helped the franchise win two Super Bowls. He sacked Jalen Hurts in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVII win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Chiefs don’t have a glaring need at defensive tackle, but they could use Saunders’ help. Pro Football Focus has Derrick Nnadi graded as the worst defensive tackle in all of football. Jerry Tillery isn’t much better. Mike Pennel was just signed, but he’s 34 years old. A reunion between Saunders and Kansas City could very well be on the cards.
Read the full article here
