3 Underrated Chiefs Who Earned Contract Extensions
By Joe Summers
The Chiefs silenced any and all doubters with a spectacular comeback win over in the 49ers in Sunday night's Super Bowl, giving Kansas City its third Lombardi Trophy in the last five seasons.
It's time to celebrate, but it's also time to prepare for the offseason with several massive decisions ahead. Brett Veach already declared that keeping stars like Chris Jones and L'Jarius Sneed is a priority, though there were several under-the-radar players who earned their keep in the Super Bowl victory.
With that in mind, let's look at three players who proved they should be on next year's roster.
3 Underrated Chiefs Who Earned Contract Extensions in Super Bowl
1. Mike Pennel Jr. - DT
Pennel Jr. played in every playoff game after suiting up for only three regular season games. He was only on a one-year contract, but he was one of the Chiefs' best defenders Sunday night and should certainly be in the mix to return in 2024.
In 40% of the snaps, Pennel compiled six tackles and three stuffs, showcasing an impressive ability in the run game with Derrick Nnadi injured. He was the unsung hero of the game, routinely stopping Christian McCaffrey and the 49ers' high-powered offense in critical moments.
Mike Pennel punching the ball out on the other side of CMC's body after working through an initial double team is outrageous. pic.twitter.com/oN0U9AkPM5
— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) February 12, 2024
Pro Football Focus perhaps best summed up Pennel's impact, noting "On the 21 run plays where Pennel was on the field, the 49ers averaged -0.350 EPA per play, which would have been their lowest mark all season in a full game. For comparison, the least efficient running game in the NFL this season belonged to the Chargers, at -0.235 EPA per play."
At 32-years-old, the 10-year veteran shouldn't command a hefty contract on the open market. It likely won't require Brett Veach breaking the bank to keep him, and this kind of disruption is hard to find at value.
No matter what happens, Pennel is a KC legend for his efforts, just like the next player on this list.
Before the next player, don't forget to claim BetMGM's INSTANT $150 sign-up bonus available today! New users who deposit at least $10 and bet $5 or more on any game will immediately be credited $150 in bonus bets to use freely. Sign up for BetMGM now!