Ex-Chiefs Tyrann Mathieu, Khalen Saunders thrilled Willie Gay Jr. signed with Saints

When New Orleans’ defense takes the field for the first time in the 2024 season, there’s a good chance that 27% of the Saints players will be former Chiefs.

New Orleans continues to add former Chiefs players as linebacker Willie Gay Jr. on Tuesday agreed to a one-year contract with the Saints that could be worth as much as $5 million, according to NFL.com.

Two former Chiefs players started for the Saints last season: defensive lineman Khalen Saunders and safety Tyrann Mathieu. Add Gay to that unit and that’s three of 11 starters who were formerly with the Chiefs.

Defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon, who was drafted by the Chiefs in 2017, also is with the Saints. All of them will be back at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium at some point in the 2024 season because the Chiefs will be playing host to the Saints.

That’ll be a topic for another day.

On Tuesday, Mathieu and Saunders each took to X (née Twitter) to send a message to their new Saints teammate.

“@WillieGayJr Yessir!!!!!!!!!!!!” Mathieu wrote. “Bring some of that championship energy with you my boy! #Proveit #LetsGeaux”

Saunders suggested that Gay meet him on New Orleans’ famed Bourbon Street and included a meme.

In another post, Saunders wrote: “YEAAAAAA MY DAWG they done brought the JUICE MANE TO THE BOOT Let’s get ready to go get #3 together boy @WillieGayJr”

Gay loved that second message from Saunders. He responded this way.