The Kansas City Chiefs’ veteran defensive tackle Mike Pennel has worn many jerseys in his NFL journey, but none have felt quite like the one he wears in Kansas City. Now entering his fifth season in the red and gold, the seasoned lineman isn’t just competing. He’s guiding, mentoring and relishing every moment of the Chiefs’ training camp.
“When you leave here and you come back, you realize how special this place is,” Pennel told reporters after Monday’s practice at Missouri Western State University
in St. Joseph. “You don’t know how many more of these you’ve got. That’s my energy boost. That’s my pre-workout: just being here and living my dream.”
With familiar veterans like Derrick Nnadi and Tershawn Wharton gone, Pennel understands what’s at stake.
“We lost some major pieces with Nnadi and with Turk,” he pointed out. “Those guys have been here a while. They helped us get to Super Bowls — [and] helped us win Super Bowls. Now it’s time for the younger guys to come up: the next generation.”
When his career is over, Pennel wants to be remembered as someone who helped young players grow.
“I always want to be a positive light on these guys,” he said. “When they speak on a veteran they’ve had, I want them to say [the vet provided] something positive that added to their game.”
For the Chiefs, the young players include rookie defensive linemen Omarr Norman-Lott and Ashton Gillotte, who have already caught Pennel’s eye.
“Omarr attacks it every day like a pro,” he observed. “He’s got great explosiveness [and] good hands. He’s a natural rusher. He and Ashton are absorbing it real well. So I’m excited.”
Pennel is also watching offensive lineman Kingsley Suamataia, who is taking strides after a rough adjustment in his rookie season.
“I’m excited for Kingsley this year,” he declared. “[I] can’t wait to see what he’s going to do.”
Meanwhile, Pennel says that he, Chris Jones, George Karlaftis and Mike Danna are going at it.
“It’s great competition in our room every year,” he said. “Me, Chris, George and Mike? We’re taking that seriously, trying to get these guys prepared for the next wave.”
Pennel believes the Chiefs’ culture of accountability makes it easier for young players to lock in. They can see veterans like Nick Bolton, Trent McDuffie, Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes putting in the effort.
“They work just as hard as an undrafted free agent,” he said. “When you come in and see guys at that level — pillars of the franchise like Travis and Pat — [work so hard], everybody’s getting extra work. It’s real easy to be immersed in that.”
A few years ago, Pennel was grinding on the practice squad — waiting and hoping for a chance to play. That experience still fuels him.
“Thankfully, it worked out how I needed to,” he said. “I was able to prove my worth. I’ve still got some valuable years left. It was just a bet on myself that paid off.”
It was part of what he learned as a rookie with the Green Bay Packers, where experienced players showed him the way.
“I had great vets,” he recalled. “Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, B.J. Raji, Nick Perry. They were at the top of their game. They didn’t treat me like an undrafted free agent. They’d work with me outside the facility, tell me how to win, how not to do things. I stay in contact with those guys now.”
Pennel understands he is part of the franchise’s connective tissue. Whether it’s through mentoring, motivating or just showing up with a smile, his presence helps the team sustain its gold standard.
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