Report: Saints Reach Contract Extension With Tanoh Kpassagnon

New Orleans re-signs one of their key defensive players before he can hit the free agent market next month.

John Hendrix of the Saints News Network wrote on Friday that DE Tanoh Kpassagnon and the New Orleans Saints were nearing a contract extension, according to sources. The news became official on Saturday. 

David Canter, Kpassagnon's agent, announced the official word on his Twitter account. NFL Insider Aaron Wilson reports that it's a 2-year deal worth a max value of around $6 million with $2.5 million guaranteed. 

The 28-year-old Kpassagnon was a second-round choice out of Villanova by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2017 NFL Draft. After four seasons with the Chiefs, he'd sign a free agent deal with the New Orleans Saints. 

In two years with New Orleans, Kpassagnon has 6 sacks, 19 pressures, six tackles for loss, and 46 total tackles. He's appeared in around 40% of the Saints defensive snaps and is also a key on the team’s kick blocking unit.

New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon (90) pass rushes at the line of scrimmage against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Despite his 2021 campaign with the Saints being shortened to eight games because of injury, Kpassagnon tied a career-high with four sacks. He played in 15 contests for New Orleans last season. Kpassagnon had 2 sacks, 8 pressures, and 3 tackles for loss among 28 total stops in 2022.

This extension prevents one of the Saints most underrated defenders from hitting free agency. The 6'7" and 289-Lb. Kpassagnon normally lines up along the edge, but can also slide inside in some alignments.