The transaction craze in the NFL is now over as we enter the third week of free agency, but depth moves are still trickling in. The Kansas City Chiefs, who still have a few of their free agents unsigned, just made a move on Monday to bring back an important contributor.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Chiefs re-signed veteran defensive lineman Mike Pennel.
Chiefs re-signed defensive tackle Mike Pennel.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 24, 2025
NFL News: Chiefs Re-Sign DT Mike Pennel to Kick Off Free Agency Week 3
Pennel spent the last two seasons with the Chiefs after he returned in the 2023 offseason. He was previously with the Chiefs in the 2019 and 2020 seasons, winning two Super Bowls in his four seasons in Kansas City. He played in all 17 games last season and started a career-high seven games, lining up in 30% of the team's defensive snaps.
Earlier in the offseason, the Chiefs signed defensive tackle Jerry Tillery from the Minnesota Vikings. This was seen as a potential replacement for Pennel, but once the team lost Tershawn Wharton to the Panthers and Derrick Nnadi to the Jets, they didn't have much of a choice but to bring back Pennel.
Tillery and Chris Jones will likely get the start on the interior, with George Karlaftis and Mike Danna on the edges. Pennel and Marlon Tuipulotu will likely get some snaps on the defensive line.
While Pennel was still impactful last season, he will be 34 before the 2025 campaign. It behooves the Chiefs to add one more interior defensive lineman through the draft with one of their earlier picks. Whether GM Brett Veach goes that route remains to be seen.