Here's what Chiefs GM Brett Veach said about Mike Pennel's release

Veach discussed a handful of subjects following roster cuts

General manager Brett Veach on Thursday morning hosted a roundtable with members of the Chiefs beat reporter corps.

Veach touched on multiple subjects relevant to the establishment of the 53-player active roster and other areas.

Here are main highlights:

DECISION TO RELEASE PENNEL

One of the biggest head-scratching transactions — at least from the outside looking in — from Tuesday’s roster cuts surrounded the team’s decision to release veteran defensive tackle Mike Pennel.

The 34-year-old Pennel appeared in 17 games with seven starts in 2024 and signed a one-year contract during the offseason to return for his fifth tour of duty with the Chiefs.

Pennel projected as a starter and worked with the first-team defensive unit, throughout training camp before his surprising release.

So, what went into the decision?

What follows is in verbatim format.

VEACH: “Well, I think we – with every position group, we’re trying to get better and we’re trying to add competition. I think throughout training camp, that was one positional group that we were a little bit more active than others. We had a couple of teams, we had some dialogue with some teams, some players, and those players ended up not being moved. And then we had also some dialogue with Cleveland – the (Jowon) Briggs kid they traded to the Jets – we had expressed interest there. They decided to go with the deal with New York, which sometimes happens with our picks.

“So, I think that was one position group we were trying to continually get deeper, get younger, get more athletic, and most of the time those guys are different names and different positions. I think when it came to Derrick (Nnadi), probably a similar level of play from what we’ve seen, but both those guys have over the years played and helped us out in games. But I do think you take into consideration just the length of the season. I mean, both guys are older and veterans, but Derrick is five years younger. Derrick did, I think, have a streak of – I mean, when he played here the last four years, he was a 17-game player each of those four or five years. So, I think if you had to do a slight edge, it was just four, five years younger, and the guy has played a lot of reps.

“But, look, we’re still active at that position. I mean, we were last on the waiver wire. Like I said, a couple of trades we couldn’t get done as teams kept those guys. But two of the more prominent names at that position, Brodric Martin and Zacch Pickens, you know, put the full-court press and got to have those guys and Marlon (Tuipulotu) here for now. So, that’s just a position that we’re kind of hyper-focused on and trying to get that competition better and get more consistency.”

ON CHANCES PENNEL COULD RETURN

VEACH: “I mean, I think we’d always be open to that, for sure. I mean, Mike’s a guy that, I mean, he’s a special human being. We love Mike and he’s one of those guys that I feel like every time we’ve gotten him back in short spurts, he’s been the best that he has. So, certainly if that situation presents itself, always something we’re open to.

“But I think it goes back to just trying to elevate that room consistently. … Mike has shown that when he can come back here in short spurts, I mean, even at his age, he’s a juice guy, he’s an energy guy, we love him, so certainly keeping that door open, as well. I think all options are open for us at that position.”

ON RICE SUSPENSION

The NFL on Wednesday handed down a six-game suspension to wide receiver Rashee Rice for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

The news didn’t catch the Chiefs flat footed.

“It wasn’t a surprise,” Veach said. “It was communicated to us, and we were certainly made aware a few days before cut down day that this was a better than 50% shot that this would get resolved before the start of the season.”

Rice is eligible to return on Monday, Oct. 13, which is Week 7 of the regular season.

NEXT MAN UP

The Chiefs have outside speed covered with wide receivers Xavier Worthy, Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and Tyquan Thornton.

But as for who fills in for Rice, Veach mentioned two players he believes can step up: JuJu Smith-Schuster and rookie Jalen Royals.

“Jalen is a guy that has a similar – I don’t want to say Rashee because I think Rashee is a Top 10 receiver,” Veach said. “He’s a legit dude, a star in this league and I think it would be awfully hard to do what he can do, and I don’t think we have anybody like Rashee, but I think Jalen’s skillset is like that.

“JuJu plays a similar position. … They’re two guys that can punish tacklers like Rashee can at that position.”

STATUS QUO ON MCDUFFIE

The Chiefs took care of one of two 2022 first-round picks before training camp by signing defensive end George Karlaftis to a four-year, $93 million contract extension.

As for the other 2022 first-round pick, cornerback Trent McDuffie, Veach said there has been dialogue.

Veach, however, didn’t have a firm update on when a contract extension would happen.

“He’s a guy that is obviously a special player and we’re going to continue that dialogue and hopefully something gets worked out,” Veach said. “There’s nothing happening imminently or right now but certainly keeping that dialogue open.”

The Chiefs don’t need to rush things before the end of the regular season because the Chiefs applied the fifth-year option on McDuffie earlier in the offseason.

Nevertheless, McDuffie is a team priority.