Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans Saints Extend Defensive End’s Contract

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Tyler Eschette | Last updated 2/27/23

The New Orleans Saints were able to lock up defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon to a two-year contract. Kpassagnon was going to be a free agent, but the Saints were able to lock up a deal before the free-agency period starts on March 15th when the new year begins. He has been able to serve a vital role in the Saints rotation while playing at the defensive end and defensive tackle. With others on the move for free agency, it was key for the black and gold to lock up some depth on the defensive line.

Tanoh Kpassagnon’s Career in the NFL:

Kpassagnon was selected in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. He would spend four seasons in Kansas City before coming to New Orleans prior to the 2021 season. The former Villanova product saw limited time on the field during his rookie season in 2021 as he would only start in one game during the year.

Kpassagnon racked up eight tackles and two sacks during his debut season in the NFL. Limited production would continue going into his sophomore season in the league as he only had three tackles on the year. He would begin to ramp up his production on the field heading into the 2019 season where he would earn eight starts with the Chiefs defense. The 28-year-old defensive end would have the best season of his professional career registering 21 tackles, four sacks, two passes defended and one forced fumble.

Kpassagnon would be able to continue his momentum from a stellar season in 2019 and convert that to another solid showing in 2020. During the 2020 season, Kpassagnon started in 15 games for Kansas City. He would go on to record 20 tackles, one sack and three passes defended. His tenure with the Chiefs would come to an end after the conclusion of the 2020 season and he would move down south to the New Orleans Saints.

The versatile defensive lineman would appear in just eight games during his debut season with the Saints as he suffered a season-ending ankle injury. During the eight games that he would appear in, Kpassagnon posted 18 tackles, four sacks, two passes defended and and one forced fumble. He would be able to remain healthy during his second season with the Saints as he appeared in 15 games for New Orleans, with five of them being starts.

The former Villanova product produced 15 tackles and two sacks during the 2022 season. Overall, Kpassagnon has appeared in 69 games with 29 starts over his five-year NFL career, recording 92 tackles, 11 sacks, seven passes defended, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one special teams tackle and one blocked field goal.

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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