Chiefs DT Mike Pennel admits that he’s right back where he belongs after latest midseason return to Kansas City

Mike Pennel is back in Kansas City with the Chiefs, and all feels right in the world.

Charles Goldman — NFL Managing Editor
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Kansas City Chiefs DT Mike Pennel is officially back with the team, and all feels right because of it.

Kansas City is where Pennel first became a Super Bowl champion in 2019, but his roots go back further. The 34-year-old grew up in Topeka, Kansas, surrounded by a family of Chiefs fans. However, the trips he took to Kansas City as a young boy weren’t out of pleasure; they were out of necessity. A cancer survivor, Pennel underwent 1.5 years of life-saving pediatric chemotherapy treatments at Children’s Mercy Hospital. His ties to Kansas City are deeper than many know.

“I mean, my family is long-standing Kansas City Chief fans,” Pennel told reporters on Friday. “You know, even though we all bleed red, we believe a little bit of yellow, too, for KC. So, you know, my family’s here, the doctor who cared for me when I went through chemo is here. So, you know, it’s always attached to it here.

“Everybody knows I love KC, come on now.”

After the Cincinnati Bengals granted Pennel’s request for his release, he pondered his future in the league. He knew that, like any business decision in the NFL, requesting his release was a risk that could leave him without a team. So late in his career, such a move could be career-ending. His family encouraged him to explore what opportunities might be out there, and, by fate, he was brought back where he belonged, despite the circumstances that led him away from the team ahead of the 2025 NFL season.

When Pennel walked through the doors at One Arrowhead Drive on Wednesday, it felt like putting on an old pair of shoes.

“Absolutely, when you’ve been somewhere this long, you know you have connections with everybody from the janitor, people who make food, players, coaches,” Pennel explained. “So, you know, it felt normal. So, I was just glad I’ll be able to walk through those doors.”

Chiefs DT Mike Pennel expected to hit the ground running in Week 9 vs. Bills

Chiefs fans won’t have to wait long to see Pennel back in action. I’m told that the team has no problem with him playing a healthy dose of snaps in Week 9 against the Bills. Unlike other midseason acquisitions, Pennel won’t have the learning curve that other players face when entering an entirely new system. He has the benefit of spending the entirety of training camp and the preseason with Kansas City, so he already knows the new wrinkles the defense has put in.

“Well, the good thing about Mike (Pennel) is he was here before this season,” Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo said on Thursday. “I think it is probably an easier transition for him than going someplace else. We’re glad that we got him. Mike is a fun guy to have around, and a good football player. So we’re happy about that.”

Chiefs DT Mike Pennel Quick Facts

  • Age: 34
  • Seasons Played With Chiefs: 4
  • Games Played With Chiefs: 42
  • Games Started With Chiefs: 8
  • Super Bowls Won: 2 (LIV, LVIII)

One of the biggest proponents of bringing Pennel back to the Chiefs was star DT Chris Jones. He was notably chipper when he spoke to the media on Thursday after Pennel had officially rejoined the team. He explained exactly what they’ll be getting out of Pennel in his return to Kansas City.

“Mike (Pennel) brings a veteran presence,” Jones said. “Good for the locker room. Great guy. Like one of my brothers, you know? A lot of good things I could say about him. Just bringing positive energy. I think that’s something that goes underrated in a football locker room. A good, high-energy guy that keeps everyone fun, happy, but also makes you remember the important stuff (like) how old and how gracious this game is.”

Pennel might even bring some good luck with him. In each of the two seasons he’s joined Kansas City at the midseason mark, the Chiefs have gone on to win the Super Bowl.

“I didn’t know that,” Pennel said with a grin on his face. “You guys knew that? That’s a fact? I don’t know. However fate has it.”

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