The Kansas City Chiefs are left trying to pick up the pieces of a broken season after a crushing loss to the AFC West-leading Denver Broncos on Sunday. But one of those pieces it now appears will not be a fan favorite, 324-pound former Chiefs third-round draft pick — a player who both fans and former teammate were lobbying hard to get back into the Kansas City family after more than two years away.
In general, the Chiefs’ defense has not been the main reason that the defending AFC champions now sit at 5-5, 2 1/2 games off the Broncos’ pace in their division, and with their chances to make the playoffs at all looking increasingly grim.
After the devastating 22-19 loss to Denver, the Chiefs now occupy the ninth seed in the AFC, and the four teams ahead of them all own tiebreakers over Kansas City.
But the Chiefs’ defense ranks sixth in the NFL in terms of least yards allowed (2,968) and third in fewest points surrendered (181). And that may be why Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has not been among the front office executives calling to express interest in signing free agent tackle Khalen “Bink” Saunders. At least, he hasn’t according to a report on Monday morning by NFL insider Jordan Schultz, .
If the Chiefs manage to get into the playoffs, two of those teams — the Baltimore Ravens and Indianapolis Colts — would be likely opponents. In fact, the Chiefs face the 9-2 Colts in the regular season next Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium.
But later Monday, NFL Network correspondent Tom Pelissero reported that Saunders would sign in New York.
“Veteran DT Khalen Saunders is expected to sign with the Jets, per sources,” Pelissero wrote. “The two-time Super Bowl champion is the latest veteran addition in New York, where Aaron Glenn is working to the build the culture.”
Also on Monday, Saunders himself appeared to confirm that he will not be returning to the Chiefs.
“Sorry y’all, I tried,” Saunders wrote in his social media account. “If only the fans were the front office. Maybe one day tho who knows.”
Saunders was drafted 84th overall by Kansas City in 2019 out of Western Illinois. After four years, 38 games and two Super Bowl rings, Saunders left the organization to sign as a free agent with the New Orleans Saints.
He lasted just two seasons and 30 games with the Saints before they shipped him to Jacksonville in exchange for offensive lineman Luke Fortner in August.
But New Orleans coach Liam Coen never had much use for Saunders, putting him into only two games this year before handing the 29-year-old St. Louis native his walking papers last week.
With the NFL trade deadline now history, all players who are released by their teams must pass through waivers where they can be claimed by any other team. But in Saunders’ case no one made a waiver claim. On Friday the seven-year veteran became a free agent.
Though the Chiefs are obviously experiencing their worst season of the Patrick Mahomes era, the overall sturdiness of the Kansas City defense may be one reason why Veach has not — at least not according to Schultz’s information — made an attempt to reacquire Saunders, even though several of the defensive tackle’s former teammates who remain on this year’s edition of the Chiefs have openly called for his return.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs’ situation appears dire. Not only is their nine-year streak of AFC West titles almost certain to come to an end, with The Athletic‘s mathematical playoff probability formula giving them just a 10 percent chance, their probability of making the playoffs at all sunk to 57 percent after Sunday’s loss, per
New York City police have released new images of the suspect wanted in the shooting of former Vikings defensive back Kris Boyd.
Boyd was shot in the abdomen over the weekend, with the bullet entering through his stomach and lodged in his lung, according to ABC 7 New York. The 29-year-old is now said to be in stable condition following the incident.
Police released new photos of the man suspected of shooting Boyd. He was last seen wearing a black cap, black sweatshirts, black pants, multi colored sneakers, and carrying a black book bag.
Many current and former teammates posted messages on social media, reacting to the news. Former Eden Praire standout and current Jets linebacker Jermaine Johnson posted the following on Sunday: “Everybody please send prayers to my brother and teammate Kris Boyd and his family!!”
Harrison Phillips, who was teammates with when both played for the Vikings and now again on the Jets, posted a prayer.
“Kris is a fighter and we’re all here for him,” he said.
Boyd was a seventh-round draft pick by the Vikings in the 2019 NFL Draft. During his four seasons in Minnesota, he appeared in 58 games, registering 95 combined tackles, four fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, and three passes defended.
He was let go by the Vikings following the 2022 season, electing to sign with the Arizona Cardinals in free agency. Boyd appeared in four games for the Cardinals before they released him. He signed with the Texans practice squad shortly after, playing in two games during the remainder of the 2023 season.
Boyd played in all 17 games for the Texans in 2024, primarily as a special teamer. Following the conclusion of the 2024 season, he joined the Jets in free agency. He landed on injured reserve in early August after sustaining shoulder injury during Jets training camp.
The Jets released a brief statement saying they’re aware of the incident involving Boyd, but did not provide any further details.