News of a Kansas City Chiefs reunion is in the air on October 29, just ahead of the Week 9 matchup with the Buffalo Bills, and it appears veteran defensive tackle and two-time Super Bowl champion Mike Pennel is coming home to KC.
“Sources: The Chiefs are hosting veteran DT Mike Pennel for a visit on Wednesday after he requested and was granted his release from the [Cincinnati] Bengals,” FOX Sports NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported late last night on October 28.
“A fan favorite and 2-time Super Bowl champion in Kansas City, Pennel is expected to sign with the Chiefs if all goes well,” Schultz continued, adding: “A move star DT Chris Jones had been hoping for.”
Obviously, Schultz is referencing Jones’ public pitch to reacquire Pennel, which was made at the KC superstar’s weekly press conference on October 16.
“Mike Pennel is a heck of a locker-room guy,” Jones said at the time. “So many things I can say about my brother. We got to get my brother back.”
Now, if all goes well at Wednesday’s visit and likely team physical, it appears Jones will get his wish.
Chiefs, Mike Pennel Reunion Makes Too Much Sense After Omarr Norman-Lott Injury
GettyVeteran defensive tackle Mike Pennel with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024.
This is one of those no-brainer moves for the Chiefs. To be honest, it was a major surprise when Kansas City chose to part ways with Pennel at the tail end of training camp and the preseason, but that was when they still had 2025 draft pick Omarr Norman-Lott.
It seemed like the Chiefs made the decision to try and get younger at defensive tackle, bringing in fliers like Brodric Martin and Zacch Pickens on practice squad deals, along with Norman-Lott and free agent pickup Jerry Tillery on the active roster.
Then, the trade for Derrick Nnadi sealed Pennel’s fate, as the two nose tackles are similar players.
The Chiefs’ rationale for ditching Pennel was somewhat understandable, but that doesn’t mean it was correct. And now, as of Week 9, it has been proven shortsighted.
Pennel isn’t just a defensive team leader who is well-liked by Jones and many of his ex-KC teammates; he’s also a gritty and experienced DT who serves a specific purpose, and he plays his role well.
Like Nnadi, one should not expect Pennel to fill up a stat sheet, but he will certainly clog gaps and reinforce the Kansas City run defense. His presence should also help free up Jones to attack quarterbacks and ball carriers, as the two work very well together.
With Norman-Lott on IR, the Chiefs elevated Marlon Tuipulotu again in Week 8. It was the final opportunity for them to elevate Tuipulotu without signing him to the 53-man roster.
Needless to say, Pennel would give KC another practice squad option with three available elevations.
Pennel Has Been a Part of 4 AFC Title Runs
Recent history tells us that Pennel’s return is good news for the Chiefs’ Super Bowl aspirations.
The veteran earned his first championship ring with KC in 2019, but he’s also been an important part of the past two AFC title runs in 2023 and 2024.
In 2023, the Chiefs hoisted the Lombardi Trophy once again, giving Pennel ring No. 2. Then in 2024, Kansas City fell just short in the championship final, as fans know all too well.
Either way, Pennel’s presence in KC tends to equate to a Super Bowl trip, at the very minimum. The grizzled journeyman D-tackle has spent four out of his 12 total NFL seasons with the Chiefs, and each of those four campaigns has ended in a Super Bowl appearance.
The fourth and final Pennel playoff run came in 2020, as Kansas City lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV.
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