Jaguars to release DT Khalen Saunders

Saunders played out his rookie contract with the Chiefs before serving as a two-year Saints starter. He was traded to Jacksonville in August in exchange for center Luke Fortner. That change of scenery did not result in much in the way of playing time for Saunders. The 29-year-old has logged only 25 snaps so far this season.

With this move taking place after the trade deadline, Saunders will hit the waiver wire. Provided he goes unclaimed, the former third-rounder will become a free agent and look to join a contender for the closing stages of the campaign. It will be interesting to see if a Kansas City reunion will be explored.

The Chiefs were linked to an addition along the defensive line before and after the trade deadline. Kansas City has already taken the route of bringing back a veteran shortly after being released elsewhere once in 2025 in the case of Mike Pennel. Doing so again would allow for Saunders, who won a pair of Super Bowls during his time with the Chiefs, to reprise his former role as a depth contributor. Kansas City has $3MM in cap space at the moment.

Jacksonville still has the likes of Arik Armstead, DaVon Hamilton, Austin Johnson and Maason Smith in place along the defensive line. That group will be counted on to continue handling the bulk of snaps up front to close out the campaign, with the Jags (5-4) competing for a playoff berth. Saunders was a pending free agent prior to today’s release.

The Western Illinois product landed a three-year, $12.3MM pact during his first trip to free agency. A deal of similar value will not be forthcoming in the middle of the campaign, but it will be interesting to see where Saunders winds up for the stretch run.