The Kansas City Chiefs announced via a social media post on March 24 that they have re-signed veteran defensive tackle Mike Pennel. The deal between the Chiefs and Pennel is for one year, according to Sam McDowell of the Kansas City Star.
Pennel, 33, joined the Chiefs’ practice squad during the 2023 season and played meaningful reps for them down the back stretch of the 2023 regular season as well as during their 2024 Super Bowl run.
In 2024, Pennel rejoined Kansas City on its quest for a three-peat and played in all 17 regular season games — which included three starts — and played 30% of the team’s defensive snaps during the 2024 regular season, according to Pro Football Reference. He also played in all three of the team’s playoff games earlier this year.
As a player who is known more as an early-down run stopper, Pennel will rotate in alongside All-Pro Chris Jones on Kansas City’s defensive line.
Adding Pennel as well as Charles Omenihu and Jerry Tillery this offseason allows the Chiefs to go into the 2025 NFL Draft without a gaping hole along the defensive line. That in turn will allow their front office to draft based on value instead of need.
X Users React to Chiefs Re-Signing Mike Pennel
Users on X, formerly Twitter, reacted to the Chiefs re-signing Pennel on a one-year deal.
“EXCELLENT – glad he’s back! The defensive interior is in much better place now with Tillery, [Marlon] Tuipulotu, Pennel all being added back,” one person wrote. “Chris Jones of course is the centerpiece and I imagine they draft at least one DT in this very deep class.”
“Chiefs with their own exclusive! Let’s goooo,” another person wrote. “Welcome back Mike Pennel! Feeling so great about our D line depth going into the draft. Great re-sign by [Brett] Veach!”
“Huge for them to return Mike this season. Needed a run stuffer. The draft is a luxury. Good to have insurance,” another person wrote.
Chiefs Get James Pearce Jr. in PFF Mock Draft
Speaking of defensive line moves for the Chiefs — in the latest Pro Football Focus mock draft, PFF’s own Josh Liskiewitz has Kansas City taking Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr. with the 31st overall pick.
“Pearce is the kind of athlete with the production and disruption scores you don’t let out of the first round,” Liskiewitz wrote on March 24. “His twitchy movements show difference-making NFL traits that can be situational at worst and All-Pro at best.”
NFL Media draft analyst Lance Zierlein had many but not all good things to say about Pearce in his draft profile on the former Volunteer.
“Pearce is a tight-hipped, linear pass rusher with explosive take-offs and good speed-to-power but a lack of bend to flatten at the top,” Zierlein wrote. “His high pressure rate is partially derived from an instinctive feel for positioning, allowing him to work around protection for quick wins into the pocket. He’s very long but narrow through his hips, so the build-out of his frame might be limited. Pearce knows how to play around blocks and has the speed to close and tackle, but his base is naturally narrow and lacks bend. He’ll need to improve his strength and technique as an NFL run defender. Despite those concerns, Pearce’s length, twitch and rush production create a higher ceiling.”
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Chiefs Re-Sign Veteran Defender to Fill Key Roster Hole Ahead of Draft