Tanoh Kpassagnon Bio
Tanoh Kpassagnon (born June 14, 1994) is an American professional football defensive end who has played in the National Football League since 2017. He played college football for the Villanova Wildcats and was selected in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. Standing 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighing approximately 290 pounds, Kpassagnon has built a reputation as a versatile edge rusher, contributing to the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV championship and later suiting up for the New Orleans Saints and other organizations.
Early Life and Background
Tanoh Kpassagnon was born on June 14, 1994, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and raised in the Philadelphia area. He is the son of Ivorian and Ugandan parents. His mother, Winifred Wafwoyo, is a chemist, and his father, Patrice Kpassagnon Tagro, is an economist. His multicultural background and family emphasis on education shaped a disciplined upbringing that would later balance athletic and academic pursuits.
Kpassagnon attended Wissahickon High School in Ambler, Pennsylvania, where he played high school football and began drawing attention as a physically gifted pass rusher. He later reflected on his high school years as the foundation that prepared him for the next level of competition, both physically and mentally.
Path to Professional Football
Coming out of high school, only one program extended Kpassagnon a football scholarship, and he committed to play at Villanova University. He redshirted his freshman season and began his career as a tight end before transitioning to defensive end by his junior year. As a senior, he was named the Colonial Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year after recording 11 sacks, capping his rise as one of the top small-school defensive prospects in the country.
Off the field, Kpassagnon double-majored in accounting and finance at Villanova and completed two summer internships at PricewaterhouseCoopers. He later earned admission to the Master of Business Administration program at the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University Bloomington, underscoring a long-term interest in business alongside football.
Tanoh Kpassagnon Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
The Kansas City Chiefs selected Kpassagnon in the second round with the 59th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, making him the seventh defensive end taken that year. On June 7, 2017, he signed a four-year rookie contract worth $4.32 million, including $1.94 million in guarantees and a signing bonus of $1.32 million. During his first training camp, he impressed coaches with what head coach Andy Reid described as freakish athleticism and earned a versatile edge-rusher role that allowed him to line up at defensive end, outside linebacker, and defensive tackle.
Kpassagnon made his regular-season debut in the Chiefs’ 42–27 victory over the New England Patriots in the 2017 opener. On December 31, 2017, he earned his first career start against the Denver Broncos after the Chiefs had clinched the AFC West, finishing with seven combined tackles and two sacks in a 27–24 win. Over his first three seasons, he developed into a rotational defender behind veteran pass rushers while learning the nuances of professional schemes.
Kansas City Chiefs Breakthrough (2019–2020)
Kpassagnon’s most defining Chiefs moment arrived on January 19, 2020, when he recorded two sacks of quarterback Ryan Tannehill during the 35–24 AFC Championship Game victory over the Tennessee Titans. The Chiefs advanced to Super Bowl LIV, where they defeated the San Francisco 49ers 31–20, securing Kansas City’s first championship in 50 years. Kpassagnon was part of the active roster that hoisted the Lombardi Trophy.
During the 2020 regular season, Kpassagnon continued to contribute in the defensive line rotation. In Week 16, he tipped a potential game-tying field goal attempt by Younghoe Koo of the Atlanta Falcons to seal a 17–14 victory for Kansas City. He finished the 2020 campaign with 28 total tackles, one sack, and three passes defensed, and added a sack of Josh Allen in the AFC Championship Game against the Buffalo Bills, a 38–24 win that sent the Chiefs to another Super Bowl.
New Orleans Saints Era (2021–2024)
On March 29, 2021, Kpassagnon signed a two-year contract with the New Orleans Saints as a free agent, bringing his experience as a Super Bowl champion to the defensive front. His first Saints tenure was interrupted when he was placed on injured reserve on December 2, 2021. On February 27, 2023, the Saints signed him to a two-year contract extension, signaling confidence in his continued role as a rotational pass rusher.
In Week 15 of the 2023 season against Tommy DeVito and the New York Giants, Kpassagnon recorded a career-high three sacks, one of the most productive individual performances of his career. The 2024 offseason proved more difficult, as it was announced on May 28, 2024, that he had suffered a torn Achilles tendon, forcing him to miss training camp. He was placed on the reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list to open the season before being activated on December 14.
Chicago Bears Era (2025)
On July 22, 2025, Kpassagnon signed with the Chicago Bears as he continued his professional career. He was released on August 26 as part of final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad the following day. Elevated for Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football, Kpassagnon recorded a sack of J. J. McCarthy to open the second half and was subsequently signed to the active roster on September 20.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2025)
On October 27, 2025, the Indianapolis Colts signed Kpassagnon to their practice squad. He was released by the Colts on November 18.
Driving Style and Strengths
Kpassagnon is regarded as a long, athletic edge rusher whose 6-foot-7 frame and explosiveness allow him to play multiple positions along the defensive front. Coaches have praised his versatility, noting his ability to line up at defensive end, outside linebacker, and defensive tackle. His combination of length, power, and football intelligence has made him a reliable rotational piece and a capable situational pass rusher throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Kpassagnon was part of the Kansas City Chiefs team that won Super Bowl LIV, ending a 50-year championship drought for the franchise. He earned two sacks in an AFC Championship Game against the Tennessee Titans and recorded a career-high three sacks in a 2023 game against the New York Giants. Earlier, his standout senior season at Villanova was recognized with First-team All-CAA honors in 2015 and 2016, along with the 2016 CAA Defensive Player of the Year award.
Tanoh Kpassagnon Career Wins
Although football success is measured in team victories and individual statistical milestones rather than single-event wins, Kpassagnon has accumulated meaningful accomplishments across his career. His most prominent team achievement is the Super Bowl LIV championship with the Kansas City Chiefs, supported by signature AFC Championship performances against the Titans and the Bills. He has also contributed to multiple postseason runs and continues to extend his professional resume as he moves between rosters.
NFL Career Highlights
Kpassagnon’s most memorable single-game performance came in Week 15 of the 2023 season, when he recorded three sacks against the New York Giants. He also delivered two sacks in the 2019 AFC Championship Game against the Tennessee Titans and added a sack of Josh Allen in the 2020 AFC Championship Game against the Buffalo Bills. Earlier in his career, his two-sack debut start against the Denver Broncos in 2017 signaled his pass-rushing potential.
Collegiate Achievements
At Villanova, Kpassagnon earned First-team All-CAA honors in both 2015 and 2016 and was named the Colonial Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year in 2016 after posting 11 sacks. His senior-season recognition established him as one of the premier small-school defensive ends heading into the NFL Draft process.
Tanoh Kpassagnon Family
Family Background and Lineage
Kpassagnon is the son of Patrice Kpassagnon Tagro, an economist from Côte d’Ivoire, and Winifred Wafwoyo, a chemist of Ugandan heritage. Growing up in a household that valued education and professional achievement helped shape his disciplined approach to both academics and athletics. His family background remains an important part of his public identity.
Personal Life
Beyond his football career, Kpassagnon has been open about his academic ambitions, having double-majored in accounting and finance at Villanova and later pursuing an MBA at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business. He has continued to engage with fans and share updates through social media, including his verified accounts on X and Instagram.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been marked by roster movement for Tanoh Kpassagnon as he has navigated several short-term opportunities across the league. He signed with the Chicago Bears in late July, was released as part of final cuts, and re-signed to the practice squad before earning an active-roster elevation in Week 1. His sack of J. J. McCarthy against the Minnesota Vikings highlighted his continued pass-rushing ability, and he was added to the active roster on September 20 before being released on October 17.
After a brief return to the Bears’ practice squad, Kpassagnon was released again on October 21 and then joined the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad on October 27. He was released by Indianapolis on November 18, ending his most recent practice-squad stint. Across his stops in 2025, Kpassagnon has remained a ready rotational option for teams seeking veteran edge depth late in the season.
Looking ahead, Kpassagnon continues to position himself as an experienced pass rusher available to clubs in need of defensive line reinforcement. His combination of Super Bowl experience, positional versatility, and recent in-game production suggests he remains a viable contributor should another opportunity arise before the close of the 2025 season.