The Chiefs re-signed Pennel on Monday. Pennel reunites with Kansas City following a solid 2024 campaign, in which he notched 25 tackles (10 solo), including a career-high 3.0 sacks, plus one forced fumble across 17 regular-season appearances. The veteran defensive tackle figures to reprise a consistent rotational role behind Chris Jones and new free-agency acquisition Jerry Tillery.
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Status
ACTIVELatest Mike Pennel news
Team
Kansas City Chiefs
Birthdate
5/9/1991 (34)
Status
Active
HT/WT
6'4", 330 lbs
Birthplace
Topeka, KS, USA
Position
NT
College
CSU-Pueblo
Experience
11 seasons
Career History
Kansas City Chiefs
2019-2021, 2023-Present
(4 seasons)
Chicago Bears
2021-2022
(2 seasons)
Atlanta Falcons
2021-2021
(1 season)
New England Patriots
2019-2020
(1 season)
New York Jets
2017-2019
(2 seasons)
Green Bay Packers
2014-2017
(3 seasons)
The Chiefs re-signed Pennel on Monday. Pennel reunites with Kansas City following a solid 2024 campaign, in which he notched 25 tackles (10 solo), including a career-high 3.0 sacks, plus one forced fumble across 17 regular-season appearances. The veteran defensive tackle figures to reprise a consistent rotational role behind Chris Jones and new free-agency acquisition Jerry Tillery.
Pennel finished the 2024 season with 25 total tackles (10 solo), including 3.0 sacks, while also recording a forced fumble over 17 regular-season games. Pennel returned to operate in a weekly role with Kansas City in 2024 after spending the majority of the 2023 campaign on the team's practice squad and appearing in just three regular-season games. The defensive tackle was able to compile a career-high 3.0 sacks this season, and he'll enter the offseason as an unrestricted free agent.
Pennel (hamstring) carries no injury designation into Sunday's game against the Broncos. Pennel suffered a hamstring injury in the second quarter of the Chiefs' Christmas Day win over the Steelers and did not return. He finished this week with a full practice Friday, and barring any setbacks he'll be good to go for Sunday's regular-season finale. With the Chiefs locked in as the No. 1 seed in the AFC and resting its starters, Pennel is expected to see heavier playing time at defensive tackle in place of Chris Jones (calf).
Pennel is questionable to return to Wednesday's Week 17 game against Pittsburgh due to a hamstring injury. Pennel headed to the locker room due to the hamstring issue in the second quarter and was deemed questionable to return just prior to halftime. He started the game for Kansas City in place of Chris Jones (calf). Derrick Nnadi and Marlon Tuipulotu are options to step in at defensive tackle if Pennel can't return.
Pennel tallied four tackles (three solo), including 1.0 sacks, during Kansas City's 27-19 win over Houston on Saturday. Pennel was credited with his third sack of the regular season Saturday when he pushed C.J. Stroud out of bounds for a five-yard loss early in the third quarter. Pennel could start at defensive tackle against the Steelers on Wednesday if Chris Jones -- who is not practicing Monday due to a calf strain -- is unable to play on Christmas Day.
The Chiefs re-signed Pennel to a one-year-deal Wednesday, Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star reports Pennel will stay in Kansas City after spending the majority of last season on their practice squad. The 32-year-old should compete for a spot as a reserve defender after compiling four tackles (two solo) across three appearances a season ago.