Chiefs made a run at Tanoh Kpassagnon before he signed with Saints
The New Orleans Saints signed defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon within the last few weeks, and he’ll play a crucial role on this team with the loss of Trey Hendrickson. For the second season in a row, the Saints lost a key member of their top-tier defense.
Last season, they played without Vonn Bell, bringing in Janoris Jenkins. This season, they’ll have Kpassagnon and hopefully a more impactful Marcus Davenport to replace Hendrickson, who was tied for the second-most sacks in the NFL last season.
Tanoh Kpassagnon will come to the Big Easy from the Kansas City Chiefs, and they made a “run” for him before he opted to sign with the Saints.
The Chiefs were not wanting to give up Kpassagnon. That’s at least what Chiefs beat writer for The KC Star, Herbie Teope, tweeted out recently. It makes sense as well given that Kpassagnon started 15 games for the Super Bowl-making Chiefs.
I'm told the Chiefs made a run at bringing back Tanoh Kpassagnon, but he thought the Saints provided an "interesting opportunity."
— Herbie Teope (@HerbieTeope) March 29, 2021
Also, pending signing gives Kpassagnon chance to work Saints DL coach Ryan Nielsen, who did the private workout with Kpassagnon back in 2017. https://t.co/wiXyTid3mU
While Kpassagnon did have 15 starts and made an appearance in all 16 games, his numbers weren’t overly impressive. He ended the season with just one sack. He also had 29 tackles and three passes defended.
For a player that was in over 700 snaps, it doesn’t seem crazy to have expected more. That said, it was Kpassagnon’s first season as a full-time starter after starting just half the Chiefs games in 2019.
It’s unknown whether he’ll be the opening-week starter for New Orleans or not. I’d assume, as long as the team is at full strength, the 26-year-old will come off the bench. But, to be fair, Marcus Davenport hasn’t exactly been an ironman, so Kpassagnon should get quite a bit of play with New Orleans.
However, it’d be interesting if the “opportunity” offered him is that starting gig. With Davenport’s struggle through the first four seasons of his career, it wouldn’t be insane to think he’d be the one starting on the bench.
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Either way, both will have a chance to make an impact, and Kpassagnon should go down as a highly-important addition for the Saints. Let’s also mention he comes in at a huge 6-foot-7 which should give a strong presence on the defensive line.