Jets’ newest player sends a message that revenge is already on his mind

The New York Jets made a much-needed addition to their defensive line on Monday, signing veteran defensive tackle Khalen Saunders to help add depth to a depleted defensive tackle room.

And it didn’t take long for the two-time Super Bowl champion to let everyone know exactly where his mind is heading into his first weeks as a Jet.

Shortly after the signing became official, Saunders jumped on social media with a Grinch-grinning GIF and the caption “Back to back weeks,” accompanied by a devil-smirk emoji.

It didn’t take much decoding to figure out what he meant, as the Jets face the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 15 and the New Orleans Saints in Week 16, two of the teams he previously suited up for.

Saunders made it clear he hasn’t forgotten where he came from, or who he wants a piece of next. The Jets have now added a player to their thin defensive line group who is bringing a little extra fuel with him.

New Jets DT Khalen Saunders is already out for revenge

A third-round pick of the Chiefs in the 2019 NFL Draft, Saunders spent the first four years of his career as a depth defensive tackle in Kansas City, becoming a fan-favorite on and off the field.

Saunders appeared in just 38 games for the Chiefs over four seasons, largely as a rotational interior lineman, yet still managed to develop a cult following among fans.

Chiefs fans adored him, not just for his big-man athleticism (yes, he really does backflips at 330 pounds), but for the personality and spark he brought every time he stepped on the field.

Saunders would leave in free agency to sign with the Saints in the 2023 offseason, and he'd go on to start the majority of the last two seasons in New Orleans. The Saints would trade him to the Jaguars this past August, just ahead of the 2025 season.

Unfortunately for Saunders, he never quite found his footing in Jacksonville. He appeared in only two games before being released earlier this month, and despite reportedly receiving interest from teams like the Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, and Arizona Cardinals, he opted to sign with the Jets.

His decision likely came down to a matter of playing time. Saunders could have signed with a contender, but he has a much clearer pathway to playing time in a Jets defensive tackle room that's razor-thin following the Quinnen Williams trade.

Jowon Briggs and Harrison Phillips have overachieved since joining the team in separate trades this past August, but the depth behind them is essentially nonexistent. Jay Tufele doesn't offer much, and the same is true for midseason acquisition Mazi Smith.

Saunders at least gives the Jets an NFL-caliber defensive tackle who can step in immediately as a rotational piece in Steve Wilks’ defense. The roundoff backflips are just an added bonus.

A pair of revenge games may not define his Jets tenure, but Saunders has already made it clear he plans to make those matchups count.