The Kansas City Chiefs gave their defensive line a familiar face this week. On Wednesday, veteran defensive tackle Mike Pennel re-signed with the team after beginning the season with the Cincinnati Bengals.
This marks his third stint in Kansas City.
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo was happy to see him back with the team.
“The good thing about Mike is he was here before this season,” he said on Thursday. “So I think it’s probably an easier transition for him than going someplace else.”
Pennel first joined the Chiefs midway through the 2019 season and immediately made an impact, helping anchor the defensive front during Kansas City’s run to Super Bowl LIV. He recorded another midseason return in 2023, playing a rotational role on another Super Bowl–winning defense.
That reliability — stemming from his big-game experience — is a significant reason why Spagnuolo trusts him upon his return.
“We’re glad we got him,” he declared. “Mike’s a fun guy to have around — and a good football player — so we’re happy about that.”
Over his 12-year career, Pennel has appeared in 146 regular-season games, totaling 246 tackles, five sacks and three forced fumbles. During his most recent season with the Chiefs in 2024, he appeared in all 17 games and posted 25 tackles (10 solo), three sacks and one forced fumble.
This time around, Pennel joins a defensive line that ranks in the middle of the pack through the first half of the 2025 season. The Chiefs are 15th in total rushing yards allowed (800) and 18th in yards per carry (4.4). Veteran defensive captain Chris Jones once again leads the position group — but with a need for depth along the line, Pennel was the perfect fit.
“Mike brings a veteran presence,” Jones noted. “Good for the locker room, great guy — like one of my brothers. A lot of good things I can say about him. He just brings positive energy, which I think is something that goes underrated in a football locker room. A good, high-energy guy who keeps everyone fun and happy.”
That positive energy has been Pennel’s calling card throughout his time in Kansas City — which meant that when the team released him before the 2025 season, it was a blow to Jones and his teammates. Jones tried to stay in touch anyway.
“Unfortunately, our contact kind of died off a little bit,” he recalled. “Every now and then, we’d contact each other. It’s difficult when you’re in the season and you’re in the midst of things — [and] he’s playing for a different team.”
Now back with the Chiefs, Pennel reunites with a defensive group that thrives on chemistry. His experience, understanding of Spagnuolo’s scheme and reputation in Kansas City’s locker room make him an ideal late-season addition as the team pushes for another playoff run.
“I was very disappointed, but I understand that [GM Brett] Veach always has a plan,” Jones remarked of Pennel’s release. “Luckily, we were able to bring my guy back.”
For Pennel — who has been with seven teams during his career — the feeling is mutual.
“It has been crazy, man,” he said of his journey on Friday. “You know, [it’s] the NFL experience, though. [I’m] just glad to be back. A lot of trips — [and] a lot of stops — but glad to be here.”
A native of Topeka, Kansas — who successfully battled childhood cancer at Kansas City’s Children’s Mercy Hospital — Pennel is beginning his third stint with his home team.
“My family [members are] long-standing Kansas City Chiefs fans,” he said. “Even though we all bleed red, we bleed a little bit of yellow too for K.C. My family’s here, the doctor who cured me and went through chemo [with] is here. It’s always, you know, attached me here. Everyone knows I love K.C.”
Reminded by reporters that the Chiefs won Super Bowls in the two other years he came on board after the season began — 2019 and 2023 — Pennel was surprised.
“I mean, I didn’t know that. You guys knew that? That’s a fact, there?”
Assured that it was, Pennel adopted a playful tone.
“I don’t knoooow,” he said playfully as the room exploded into laughter.
But then he smiled.
“I don’t know,” he added. “You know, however fate has it.”
