In one of the more curious moves, the Chiefs released defensive tackle and fan favorite Mike Pennel from their 53-man roster. He chose not to sign on the practice squad, instead signing with the Cincinnati Bengals. But as fate would have it, he’s back in Kansas City.
Two weeks ago, Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro Defensive Tackle Chris Jones mentioned how much he missed Mike Pennell. At the time, he was on the Cincinnati Bengals active roster and was putting up decent numbers.
That all changed on Tuesday when the Bengals cut Pennel, and just like that, he was in Kansas City, and he intends to sign with the Chiefs. When Omarr Norman-Lott went down in the Raiders game with a torn ACL, Kansas City was thin at defensive tackle.
As a veteran, Pennel didn’t have to clear waivers, and because of service time, was a clean free agent. I’m sure he stayed in touch with his buddy, Chris Jones, and that they shared a mutual desire to play together once again.
Though he’s not an every-down defender, he showed last year with increased playing time that he could still make plays. All the Chiefs need is for him to help with run defense and occupy two defenders, allowing Jones to get his pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Against the Washington Commanders, Jones didn’t register a single pressure, so the move to add Pennel makes sense just in time for the Chiefs’ big showdown at Buffalo against the Bills.
It’s not clear if he’s signing on the practice squad or on the 53-man roster. With the injury to running back Isiah Pacheco, it’s possible he could be placed on injured reserve to make room for Big Mike.
Stay tuned to Chiefs Blitz for the latest on the upcoming trade deadline.
