The Kansas City Chiefs have retained yet another one of their rotational players for the 2025 season. This time re-signing Defensive Tackle Mike Pennel, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Pennel returns to the team as an 11-year NFL veteran, who has also suited up for the Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, and Chicago Bears in his career. He was first with the Chiefs in the 2019-20 season and has been with the team since the 2023 season.
Mike Pennel’s Role In Kansas City
Ever since joining the Chiefs, Pennel’s role on this team has been solely as a depth piece for their defensive line. Over the past two seasons, he’s played in 20 games and started in seven. This past year, during the 2024 season, he appeared in all 17 games recording 25 tackles which included 3 tackles for loss. He also logged three sacks while playing 30% of the team’s defensive snaps and 11% of the team’s special teams snaps.
Impact and Experience
Pennel has proven to be an effective run-stopper throughout his career. Among defensive tackles with at least 150 run-defense snaps last season, he ranked 13th in the league, according to Pro Football Focus. His experience and familiarity with the Chiefs’ system make him a valuable complement to their defensive room. Kansas City’s defensive line rotation benefits from his physical presence and veteran leadership.
Final Thoughts
With the Chiefs bringing back Pennel for another season, they continue to solidify their depth on the defensive line heading into the NFL Draft. His ability to contribute not only in run defense but also in situation pass-rushing downs, adds stability to the overall unit.
With Pennel returning, Kansas City continues to keep its attention on the trenches, which was an area of concern heading into the offseason. The team will likely look to continue adding more depth in the draft to fill out their defensive line heading into the upcoming season.
