The New Orleans Saints are bringing back a big man with a long name along their defensive line.
That would be Tanoh Kpassagnon, according to a report from Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, with whom the Saints are nearing a multi-year extension.
Kpassagnon, 28, was a 2nd round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017 and signed with the Saints as on a 2-year, $4.5 million deal prior to the 2021 season. He's appeared in 23 games and logged 46 tackles (29 solo) and 6 sacks over two seasons. He's one of several pieces of a defensive line group set to hit free agency this year, along with DE Marcus Davenport and DTs Kentavius Street and David Onyemata. The Saints' former defensive line coach and co-defensive coordinator, Ryan Nielsen, departed this offseason to join the Atlanta Falcons as their new defensive coordinator.
It's unclear whether the Saints will look to retain Onyemata or Davenport, both of whom have been members of the New Orleans DL group for 5-plus seasons. NFL free agency officially begins on March 15.
Kpassagnon's deal would be the third of this cycle for the Saints, along with short-term deals for backup guard Calvin Throckmorton and depth wide receiver Keith Kirkwood, both of whom saw action for the team in 2022.
