While Kansas City heads to yet another Super Bowl, former Western Illinois standout Khalen Saunders is focused on helping the New Orleans Saints rebuild

The Kansas City Chiefs punched their ticket to yet another Super Bowl with a riveting 32-29 victory over the Buffalo Bills at Arrowhead in the recent AFC Championship Game. The upcoming Big Game appearance will be their fifth in six years and if they can reign supreme, then they will become the first team in history to lift the Lombardi in three straight campaigns.

The only thing that stands between Patrick Mahomes and Co. is Saquon Barkley and the Philadelphia Eagles, with online sports betting sites eagerly anticipating a rematch two years in the making. The latest odds from Bovada’s online sports betting platform currently make the reigning champions a narrow -120 betting favorite on the moneyline, with the Eagles priced at +110. But one former Chiefs standout, Khalen Saunders, is charting a new path. The defensive lineman, widely recognized for his explosive talent and magnetic personality, is now focused on a different mission—helping the New Orleans Saints rebuild and regain prominence.

From Macomb to the NFL

Born and raised in St. Louis, Saunders took the road less traveled to the NFL. Unlike players who step into the collegiate spotlight at Power Five schools, he honed his craft at the less heralded Western Illinois University, a program in the Missouri Valley Conference that often operates outside of the national limelight.

With the Leathernecks, Saunders emerged as a dominant force on the defensive line. Standing at 6’0” and weighing nearly 320 pounds, he combined agility, power, and relentless drive to set himself apart. By his senior year, he had amassed an impressive 204 career tackles, 18 sacks, and 34 tackles for loss, prompting the Kansas City Chiefs to surprisingly select him in the third round of the 2019 draft.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Shining in Kansas City

Joining the heavyweight Chiefs, Saunders quickly became a valuable member of a team that would go on to reach dynasty-like status. A certain Patrick Mahomes had just stepped up into a starting berth and he was about to embark upon a record-breaking year en route to claiming the MVP award.

Saunders would take on a less glorified role, stepping into a defensive unit loaded with talent. During his rookie year, he appeared in 12 games and recorded 22 tackles and a sack, helping Kansas City dominate in the trenches. But even he couldn’t have imagined that the campaign would culminate with a Super Bowl victory. But that’s exactly what happened, and the 84th overall pick helped his side defeat the San Francisco 49ers inside Miami’s stunning Hard Rock Stadium.

While injuries limited his availability in subsequent seasons, Saunders bounced back in 2022, delivering one of his most productive seasons yet. He played in all 16 games as the Chiefs reached the Super Bowl yet again, their third appearance in four seasons. This time around, he would play a starring role, recording a sack on the Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Hurts and helping his side secure the Lombardi once again.

A New Chapter with the New Orleans Saints

Just a few months on from securing his second ring, Saunders made the move to the New Orleans Saints, penning a $14.5m three-year deal at the Superdome. The move marked a new beginning not just for the player but also for a team in transition following the Sean Payton-Drew Brees era. After helping the Chiefs become the dominant force in the league, the former Western Illinois man had the perfect opportunity to take on a more senior role within the Saints’ defense.

He made an immediate impact during his maiden campaign with his energy and charisma quickly winning over fans and teammates alike. On the field, he served as a disruptor on running plays and occupied multiple blockers to create opportunities for others. Off the field, he embraced his leadership role, bringing the same passion and dedication that carried him from Western Illinois to the highest level.

The Rebuild

But while Saunders may have shone in his maiden campaign, the 2024 season couldn’t have been any more disappointing for the Saints. It looked as though the storied franchise could well be on for a stellar year when they picked up resounding victories against the Carolina Panthers and the Dallas Cowboys in the opening two weeks. But while his former team put themselves on the brink of history, things would quickly tail off for his new side.

New Orleans lost six straight between the end of September and the start of November, costing head coach Dennis Allen his job and Saunders his place as a guaranteed starter. After starting all 17 games in 2023, he managed just ten starts this term, falling down the pecking order following that dismal run of form in the first half of the season.

Midseason victories against the likes of the Atlanta Falcons and Cleveland Browns proved that the Saints do have signs of life. Now at the age of 28 and with two championships under his belt, Saunders is in a perfect position to help shore up a somewhat shaky defense. And with him heading into the final year of his contract, he will certainly have to do that if he wishes to remain in Louisiana.