Update: Pennel has officially signed a contract to rejoin the Chiefs. Our original story follows below:
The Kansas City Chiefs' decision to part ways with Mike Pennel before the start of the season was met with mixed reviews and surprise. The proven veteran was a pivotal part of Steve Spagnuolo's defense for four years.
Pennel ultimately stayed in the AFC, signing with the Cincinnati Bengals. But after logging 15 tackles in eight games, the veteran defensive tackle asked for his release. Now, he's free to return to Arrowhead Stadium, just like fellow DT Chris Jones wanted.
Mike Pennel Reunion With Chiefs Isn't a Done Deal
However, even though most early reports talked about his return as if it were a done deal, that may not be the case. When asked about that, head coach Andy Reid didn't make it sound as if anything was imminent:
"(Brett) Veach is all over that stuff... I haven't seen Mike Pennel. If he's back up, that's great. Another good player in there... You guys know him," Reid said on Pennel, A to Z Sports' Charles Goldman reported on X.
"Reid emphasized that he's been cramming for the Bills game on a short week, so he hasn't been privy to this," Goldman added in a follow-up post.
This comes just a couple of weeks after Chris Jones advocated for Pennel's return. That seemed unlikely at the time, however, as the Bengals' defense seemed to need him, and the Chiefs weren't likely to trade back for him:
“Everything,” Jones responded to A to Z Sports when asked what the team missed from Pennel. “And hopefully, you know, life throws a full circle, and we get my guy back. Mike Pennel is a heck of a locker room guy, and you know so many things I can say about my brother. We’ve got to get my brother back.”
The Chiefs have reportedly been in the mix to add another defensive lineman, and losing rookie DT Omarr Norman-Lott made that need all the more pressing. Things might be a little awkward between Pennel and the team that has already moved on from him twice, and that could also be a bump on his road back to Missouri.
Through eight games, Steve Spagnuolo's defense has been stellar against the pass, giving up just 177.8 yards per game. They've gotten better against the run each week, currently allowing just 100.0 rushing yards per game, which is good for eleventh in the league. That number should only be better if Pennel returns, assuming they do want him back.