“I Wanted to Play for the Chiefs, But They Weren't Interested”: Ex Chiefs DT 2x Super Bowl Reveals He Tried to Stay in Kansas City Before Signing $14.5 Million Deal With the Saints

Kansas City, Missouri – December 17, 2025
When Khalen Saunders left the Kansas City Chiefs in the spring of 2023, it wasn’t simply the end of a contract — it was the end of a chapter he desperately wanted to continue.

In a recent interview, the veteran defensive tackle revealed that his top priority as a free agent was staying in Kansas City, even if it meant taking a significant hometown discount. According to Saunders, that opportunity never materialized.

“I wanted to play for the Chiefs,” Saunders said. “I made that clear. I was willing to stay for around $4 million a year. But the truth is, they weren’t interested. There wasn’t a real conversation.”

Saunders’ connection to Kansas City ran deeper than football. Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, just a few hours from Arrowhead Stadium, he grew up firmly rooted in the Midwest. After starring at Parkway Central High School, he was drafted by the Chiefs in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft — a moment he has often described as coming home.

During his time in Kansas City, Saunders quietly became a key rotational piece on the defensive line. While never a headline name, he played an important role as a run-stopping presence alongside Chris Jones, contributing to two Super Bowl championships (2020 and 2023). His energy, versatility, and locker-room presence made him a respected figure within Chiefs Kingdom.

But when his rookie contract expired, Kansas City chose a different path. Despite Saunders’ willingness to accept a team-friendly deal, the Chiefs never extended an offer to keep him. Faced with uncertainty, Saunders signed a three-year contract worth $18.3 million with the New Orleans Saints in March 2023.

Now 29 years old and firmly in his prime, Saunders has carved out a steady role with the Saints. During the 2025 season, he has remained a reliable rotational defensive tackle, helping anchor a New Orleans defense that has ranked among the league’s stronger units against the run.

Still, the “what-if” lingers.

With the Chiefs’ 2025 season complicated by injuries — including Patrick Mahomes’ absence — the defense has been asked to shoulder more responsibility. Many around the league have wondered whether retaining a proven, affordable interior defender like Saunders could have made a difference, particularly in run defense and physicality up front.

“I don’t regret how things worked out,” Saunders said. “I’m grateful for my time in Kansas City and for the opportunity I have now. But if I’m being honest, staying with the Chiefs — that was always my first choice.”

In the NFL, roster decisions are often framed around numbers and cap space. Saunders’ story serves as a reminder that sometimes, the most impactful departures aren’t driven by money — but by a door that never opened.