New York Jets defensive tackle Khalen Saunders (99) warms up before an NFL football game...
New York Jets defensive tackle Khalen Saunders (99) warms up before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
QUINCY (WGEM) - Two-time Super Bowl champion and former Western Illinois University defensive tackle Khalen Saunders has a new NFL home.
Earlier this week, the Tennessee Titans announced they had signed the 6-foot, 324-pound free agent to a one-year contract.
Last season, Saunders played for the New York Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars, recording 12 tackles and a sack in nine games between the two AFC teams before being released by the Jets.
The signing of Saunders, who played at WIU from 2014-18, means six players who have local connections are in NFL training camps:
Skylar Thompson, QB, Baltimore, family ties to Northeast Missouri.
Andrew Rupcich, OL, New England, Culver-Stockton College.
LaCale London, DE, Atlanta, Western Illinois University.
Cody Schrader, RB, Denver, Truman State and Missouri.
Kyle Dixon, WR, New England, Culver-Stockton College.
Khalen Saunders, DT, Tennessee, Western Illinois University.
Saunders was a third-round draft selection (No. 84 overall) of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019. The Western Illinois product spent four seasons in Kansas City, appearing in 38 games (five starts). He was a member of the 2019 and 2022 Super Bowl teams and appeared in all six postseason games during the championship seasons.Saunders then signed with the New Orleans Saints in 2023 and appeared in 30 games (27 starts) from 2023-24. The veteran was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars in August, and he appeared in two games for the team this season. Saunders, who was waived by the Jaguars in November.
He has recorded 193 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and one memorable interception during his seven seasons in the NFL.
During a 2024 game while playing for New Orleans, Saunders intercepted a pass from former teammate Patrick Mahomes during a 26-13 loss at Kansas City on “Monday Night Football.”
It was an incredible play by Saunders, who recorded at the time the longest interception return by a 300-plus-pound player in 17 years. He reached a top speed of 15.79 miles per hour -- the third-fastest speed by a ballcarrier that weighs over 320 pounds since 2016.Saunders, who attended high school at Parkway Central in Chesterfield, Mo., received just one NCAA Div. I offer out of high school, and that was from WIU. But he became a FCS All-American, recording 34.5 tackles for loss, 18 sacks, four forced fumbles and 205 total tackles during his career. He also saw some time on offense, scoring a rushing and receiving touchdown.
Saunders’ brother is Kameron Saunders, a professional dancer and choreographer widely known for performing as a backup dancer on pop star Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.