Who says you can't go home? No one seemingly told undrafted former Washington State Cougars star Esa Pole, who could be on his way back to the Kansas City Chiefs after a brief stint with the New York Jets that ended on Thursday.
Chiefs Digest's Matt Derrick revealed an interest from both sides to get a deal done.
"OT Esa Pole cleared waivers today and is now officially a free agent after being let go by the New York Yets yesterday, per source," Derrick wrote. "I'm told there is a strong interest on both sides for Pole to return to the Kansas City Chiefs on the practice squad."
A-to-Z Sports' Charles Goldman revealed that the deal was all but certain to be completed as soon as possible. As Goodman added, a deal was in the works from the minute he was cut from the 53-man roster in August.
"Source: OT Esa Pole will be en route to Kansas City this evening ... if all goes well, he’ll be on the Chiefs’ practice squad tomorrow," Goodman wrote.
“When the Chiefs released Pole during 53-man cuts, they told him he was the 54th man and they really, really wanted him back on the practice squad..."
Chiefs Looking to Bring Back Familiar Faces, Good Vibes
Pole isn't the only former Chief who could be on his way back to the Kingdom.
Mike Pennel, who left the team to sign with the Cincinnati Bengals, could be a candidate to return by the November 4 trade deadline after Omarr Norman-Lott's season-ending ACL injury. Chris Jones has been strongly urging the team to bring him back, even claiming that "We got to get my brother back.”
Pennel was part of the team's dynastic run, though he only won two Super Bowl rings in Kansas City. Pennel was on the Chicago Bears during the Chiefs' run to Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles. Still, he is a reminder of better days. Days that weren't that long ago.
Pole is a reminder of the preseason, when there was more optimism that the current team could restore that championship glory. While he was a fan favorite, that wasn't enough to bring him back. The team's situation since that cut indicates that they could use Pole in the tackle rotation as a depth option.
We'll see if bringing back familiar faces is in the cards for Kansas City, but there's a good shot that Pole is nearing his return.