Chiefs re-sign DT Mike Pennel to one-year deal
The proven run-stuffing Pennel is back for another tour of duty
The Chiefs on Monday announced the re-signing of defensive tackle Mike Pennel.
While the team didn’t disclose the terms of the deal, Pennel is back on a one-year deal, a source familiar with the situation told KC Sports Network.
Bringing back Pennel more than makes sense.
The 6-foot-4, 330-pound Pennel is a proven run-stuffing interior player. He also provides another veteran presence alongside defensive tackles Chris Jones and Jerry Tillery, whom the Chiefs previously signed to a one-year contract during free agency.
Pennel, who turns 34 in May, was a major contributor last season for the Chiefs, appearing in 17 games with seven starts. He logged the third-most interior defensive snaps (320) behind Jones (771) and Tershawn Wharton (667) on the Chiefs’ roster.
With Pennel, Jones and Tillery aboard, the Chiefs soften the blow of losing Wharton in free agency. The Chiefs, though, are still likely to address the defensive line in the upcoming NFL draft, which by all accounts is loaded with defensive talent.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs clearly have faith in Pennel when considering Monday’s signing represents his fifth tour of duty in Kansas City.
He originally entered the league in 2014 as an undrafted free agent with the Green Bay Packers, where he spent three seasons.
Pennel then played for the New York Jets (2017-18) and had an offseason stint with the New England Patriots in 2019 before joining the Chiefs in October 2019. He contributed down the stretch during Kansas City’s Super Bowl LIV-winning season.
Pennel returned to the Chiefs on a one-year deal in 2020 before joining the Chicago Bears in 2021. He then bounced from the Bears to the Atlanta Falcons and back to the Bears, and then re-joined the Chiefs in 2023 in time to contribute to another Super Bowl-winning campaign. Pennel tallied six tackles, including one for a loss, during the Chiefs’ win in Super Bowl LVIII.
The 2024 season saw Pennel back on a one-year contract with the Chiefs and he posted a career-high three sacks.
