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Chiefs Veteran Must Be Replaced Immediately After Super Bowl Dud

By Joseph Grassano

Nov 17, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo looks on from the sideline during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
Nov 17, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo looks on from the sideline during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images / Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
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The Kansas City Chiefs enter the offseason after an embarrassing 40-22 to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 59. Although most of the team's failure in the Super Bowl can be put on the offense struggling, some defenders didn't have great showings either.

You're not going to let a player walk this offseason just for playing one bad game, no matter how high the stakes were. But for someone who struggled all season, the Super Bowl is one final chance to prove yourself and demand a new contract.

On the other side, a terrible showing can confirm to the team that you've gotta go. And that happened for one impending Chiefs free agent.

Chiefs Must Move on From Mike Pennel This Offseason

Defensive tackle Mike Pennel completely fits the description above. The 33-year-old entered the Super Bowl with two below-average playoff performances, and Sunday's outing didn't provide any more reason to keep the veteran.

According to PFF, Pennel ended the Super Bowl with a 39.0 run defense grade, a 55.8 pass-rushing grade, a 69.9 tackling grade, and a 35.6 overall grade. Pennel's poor run defense grade sticks out like a sore thumb with how well the Chiefs defense defended the run overall.

Furthermore, he was at his worst when the lights were brightest. His 35.6 overall grade in the Super Bowl was his lowest of this playoff run, which is disappointing given his other two overall grades are 50.3 and 53.2.

He looked okay rushing the passer, but that wasn't nearly enough to overshadow his terrible run defense or to earn him another chance in KC.

Even if Pennel didn't underperform in the Super Bowl and playoffs as a whole, the likelihood he would return next season is slim. He's coming off a down year and will be 34 years old next season. Even if he doesn't retire (a real possibility), he's going to have a hard time finding any team wanting to pay much for his services.

While Pennel may decide he has more juice left in the tank, Kansas City was always likely to look for younger options at defensive tackle this offseason.

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