The Kansas City Chiefs fell to 5-5 on Sunday after the Denver Broncos defeated them 22-19. Although their defense played well against the Broncos, their defensive linemen struggled to create pressure, with Chris Jones being the only lineman to record a sack.
Pass rush production from the defensive line has been a problem all season for Kansas City. This led some Chiefs fans to campaign to bring back veteran defensive tackle Khalen Saunders after his release from the Jacksonville Jaguars. Unfortunately, Saunders was signed by the New York Jets on Monday. Saunders shared his thoughts about the signing in a post on X.
Khalen Saunders Shares Disappointment About Not Rejoining the Chiefs
In his post on X Monday, Saunders said, “Sorry y’all. I tried. If only the fans were the front office. Maybe one day tho who knows.”
That message immediately caught the attention of Chiefs fans, many of whom assumed a reunion was possible given Kansas City’s issues up front. Instead, Saunders’ reaction made it clear he wanted to return to Kansas City, but the Chiefs simply didn’t make it happen.
Sorry yall, i tried. 🤷🏾♂️
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>If only the fans were the front office.
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> Maybe one day tho who knows— Bink Saunders (@khalenNOTkaylen) November 17, 2025
Kansas City selected Saunders in the third round during the 2019 draft. He would go on to spend four seasons with the Chiefs. In those four seasons, Saunders recorded 81 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles in 38 games. Although he didn’t provide much of a pass rush, he was a solid rotational piece for the Chiefs.
Saunders only has one season in Kansas City tracked on PFSN’s defensive tackle metric. That season is the 2022 season, where he earned a 70.7 impact grade. That put him 68th among defensive tackles in 2022.
Despite the fact that he wasn’t a true difference maker, Chiefs fans still wanted him back. That should tell everyone how desperate they are to find answers for their struggling pass rush.
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At 5-5, Kansas City has a few obstacles to climb if it wants to make it into the playoffs. Since they are unlikely to win their division with one loss to each Denver and Los Angeles already, their only chance is the wild card.
The three current wild card teams are the Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Chargers, and Jacksonville Jaguars. Each team already holds a victory over the Chiefs this season, but if Kansas City is able to run the table the rest of the season, they have a shot at sneaking in the wild card.
