The Chiefs Just Admitted Their Biggest Preseason Mistake — and Fixed It With One Smart Move.QQ
Pennel is officially back in Kansas City after playing eight games with the Cincinnati Bengals.
In what was undoubtedly the most predictable move of the week in the National Football League, the Kansas City Chiefs have officially signed defensive tackle Mike Pennel before Week 9.
Pennel was released by the Cincinnati Bengals after Week 8 in a series of roster moves at the season’s midpoint. Given his ties to Kansas City, Pennel was a natural fit back with a team that needed some help in the trenches.
The Chiefs made room on the 53-man roster by releasing defensive end Malik Herring.
Pennel gives the Chiefs a familiar face and known presence in the defensive interior to help the team’s run-stuffing capabilities. Given that Pennel has already spent two separate two-year stints with the Chiefs since Steve Spagnuolo took over as defensive coordinator in 2019, it’s likely he could see immediate playing time up front, even on a very limited basis.
Pennel is officially back in Kansas City after playing eight games with the Cincinnati Bengals.
It was a surprise that the Chiefs decided not to bring back Pennel for another season in the first place. K.C. let Pennel go before active rosters were due only to decide further help was needed at defensive tackle. General manager Brett Veach then traded for Derrick Nnadi, a longtime Chiefs lineman who signed a one-year deal in free agency with the New York Jets.
The Bengals signed Pennel shortly after his release from Kansas City and played him all eight regular-season games so far this year. Pennel appeared in 25 percent of all snaps for Cincinnati up front with 15 total tackles to his credit.
Interestingly, Herring will now likely head back to the practice squad, but the Chiefs kept cornerback Kevin Knowles on the active roster. K.C. is loaded at cornerback, but the vultures were likely swirling around Knowles and Veach had to create space on the roster to keep him. Herring is a safe bet to make it back to the practice squad, and his presence still gives the Chiefs some security up front while considering other moves.
Pennel originally entered the NFL with the Green Bay Packers back in 2014 as an undrafted free agent. He’s played in 146 games over the course of his 12-year career.
