Although the Kansas City Chiefs (5-4) enter Week 11 as one of the regular season’s strongest teams, their matchup against the Denver Broncos (8-2) will be decisive in the fight for the AFC West title. Still, despite their current strength, fans remain concerned due to the team’s earlier losses during the season’s turbulent start.
Despite recent success, the Chiefs still face chronic defensive issues and have allowed above-average points in recent seasons. This fuels fan outcry for reinforcements before the end of the season.
Jaguars Give Chiefs Opportunity to Sign Khalen Saunders
According to Tom Pelissero, the Jacksonville Jaguars have released defensive tackle Khalen Saunders. He was acquired in the preseason in a trade that sent center Luke Fortner to the New Orleans Saints. Despite the hype surrounding the two-time Super Bowl champion, Saunders only played in two games (Weeks 1 and 10) with just 25 defensive snaps this regular season.
The only two games Saunders played were those in which Austin Johnson was not listed. This release opens up a spot on the 53-man roster. On the other hand, this news will certainly interest many teams looking for a DT with seven years of NFL experience.
The Chiefs (who currently rank 10th in the PFSN Defense Impact with a B- grade) will certainly emerge as one of the interested teams, as they selected Saunders in the draft and are already familiar with his strengths.
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Everything indicates that Kansas City will see the DT as an important addition to the roster. He is a very low-risk player who could significantly help improve the team’s defensive performance, and this is now a great hope for Chiefs fans. “Come home,” said one.
— Jackson Durham (@JDurham_FBall) November 13, 2025
Come home @khalenNOTkaylen pic.twitter.com/fcYdzN4W1R
— Winston (@OsirisWinston) November 13, 2025
Come home to the Chiefs, Sir Bink!!
— Gigi 🤍🏈⚾️🇺🇸 (@Gigi414107) November 13, 2025
“He’s coming home,” confidently wrote one fan.
He’s coming home pic.twitter.com/kEat1D3GYc
— Raz (@RazWith1z) November 13, 2025
“He’ll be a Chief again by the end of the week,” added another.
He’ll be a Chief again by the end of the week
— Blake Shockley (@blake_shockley3) November 13, 2025
Yes, yes and yes.
This defensive line needs all the help it can get. https://t.co/JQljriPmHF
— Chiefs Blitz (@ChiefsBlitz) November 13, 2025
“He should be in K.C. already. He would instantly become our second-best pass rusher at DT,” posted another fan.
Yes please.
He is better than Nnadi.
— DeBe (@DenB222) November 13, 2025
One fan wrote, “Khalen Saunders has only played 25 snaps on defense this season. Healthy scratch all year. If he comes back, Chiefs getting a fresh player.”
Khalen Saunders has only played 25 snaps on defense this season. Healthy scratch all year. If he comes back, Chiefs getting a fresh player.
— 📽️ Red Tribe Cinema (@ClayWendler) November 13, 2025
“When it comes to the Chiefs bringing back Khalen Saunders back, there’s nothing to think about. The Chiefs have a glaring need at his position, and he was/still can be a plus player in Spags’ defense. Sign him today,” pleaded another fan.
When it comes to the Chiefs bringing back Khalen Saunders back, there’s nothing to think about.
The Chiefs have a glaring need at his position and he was/still can be a plus player in Spags defense.
Sign him today. pic.twitter.com/WFJcra8iWA
— 🗣🎙‼️ (@LanceTHESPOKEN) November 13, 2025
The Chicago Bears are also being touted as one of the teams interested in Saunders. He has 68 regular-season games of experience in his career and could help a team make a strong run at the end of the season.
If Saunders is not claimed by another team in the waiver market, he could become a free agent and fully available for the Chiefs again.