Khalen Saunders sends motivated post after Saints shake up defensive line depth chart

After the New Orleans Saints’ second preseason game, veteran defensive tackle Khalen Saunders posted a tweet that appeared to reference the game.

On Sunday, the Saints faced off against the San Francisco 49ers in their second preseason matchup, ultimately losing 16-10. Despite the defeat, there were positive aspects to take away from the Saints’ performance.

One notable point was Bryan Bresee starting over Khalen Saunders at defensive tackle. Bresee, a first-round draft pick in 2023, had an impressive rookie season and has shown even greater improvement this year. His move into the starting role seemed inevitable, although it was unclear whether he would replace Saunders or Nathan Shepherd.

In the game on Sunday, Bresee did indeed start ahead of Saunders. The Saints have yet to officially update their depth chart, and with a few weeks of training camp remaining, changes could still occur. However, it’s evident that Saunders is prepared to fight for his position.

Shortly after the game ended, the seasoned defensive tackle took to social media to comment, “I’m used to the disrespect. Watch how I respond.” His determination to reclaim his spot is apparent.

Bryan Bresee started over Khalen Saunders in the Saints’ second preseason game

It’s important to note that Saunders’ tweet could pertain to any aspect of his life. Given the context of the game, it appears to be football-related, but that remains speculative. In a subsequent tweet, Saunders chuckled at those who were “loud and wrong,” adding that he finds uneducated opinions quite amusing.

Regardless of the tweet’s intent, Saunders is facing significant competition at the defensive tackle position. As mentioned, Bresee has been performing exceptionally well, and Nathan Shepherd is also vying to keep his spot. To complicate matters further, Cam Jordan is now taking on a part-time role as an interior defensive lineman.

With Chase Young and Carl Granderson excelling on the outside, the Saints will implement packages that allow Jordan to move inside, enabling the team to feature its top rushers on the field simultaneously. For Saunders to avoid getting overshadowed, he must demonstrate his ability to make an impact as well. It seems he’s ready to rise to the occasion.