10 Chiefs Entering Their Final Season With Kansas City

4. Mike Pennel, DT

Some football players are used to being journeymen and that's the case for Mike Pennel. The veteran defensive tackle has played games for five franchises across 10 seasons since joining the league as an undrafted free agent in 2014, and the Chiefs are just the latest stop on his nationwide tour.

Pennel, 33, initially signed with the Chiefs in 2019 before leaving as a free agent less than two years later. The Topeka, KS native went on to spend time with the Atlanta Falcons and Chicago Bears before rejoining the Chiefs last October. He only suited up three times during the regular season, though, registering two solo tackles and one lost yardage tackle.

Pennel received a tremendous opportunity when he started in three of four games during Kansas City's championship run. He tallied five solo tackles along the way while playing to an impressive 82.0 run defense grade, per Pro Football Focus.

After being re-signed this offseason, it remains to be seen if Pennel can pick up from where he left off. While his playoff performance was solid, let's not forget that he's played to an overall defense grade of 49.0 or worse during each of the last three seasons. He also turned 33 back in May, meaning it wouldn't be shocking if his play seriously declines going forward.

Kansas City's limited cap space next season could make re-signing Pennel a challenge. Fellow defense linemen Charles Omenihu and Derrick Nnadi will both be free agents, too, while the likes of George Karlaftis and Cam Thomas will need new contracts in the next few seasons as well.

Unless Pennel has the performance of a lifetime, I wouldn't count on seeing him in a Chiefs jersey beyond the 2024 season.