Chiefs Beef Up Defense with Iron Man Signing

The free agency craze has passed through with many of the big names coming off the market. A new era of rampant player mobility has produced yet another marquee week on the NFL calendar with plenty of surprises. 

The Kansas City Chiefs did not find themselves at the epicenter of this frenzy. In fact, much of their focus this offseason has centered around maintaining key players already in-house. 

Rather than going for the box office names, the defending AFC Champions have made their biggest moves re-signing linebacker Nick Bolton and franchise tagging guard Trey Smith. 

Much of free agency for a team atop their conference and division can be about roster maintenance. The latest Chiefs' move fits that mold exactly. 

Monday, Kansas City announced the re-signing of veteran nose tackle Mike Pennel Jr. Without the same recognition as a Chris Jones, Pennel has brought value to Steve Spagnuolo's defense. 

He earned the highest Pro Football Focus grade of all Chiefs' defensive tackles against the run last season, pointing to his value as a depth piece. Pennel also tallied three sacks and 25 total tackles. 

Pennel has only been listed on an NFL injury report once in his 11-year career. 

The journeyman defensive tackle has had a total of five stops in his NFL career and will continue into the third year of his second stint with the Chiefs. Pennel joined the Chiefs during the 2019 season and contributed to their run and eventual victory at Super Bowl LIV. 

His career started with the Green Bay Packers back in 2014 before he moved onto the New York Jets in 2017. Pennel's two years there led him to his first stop in Kansas City, which also lasted two years. 

One season apiece with the Atlanta Falcons and Chicago Bears led him back to the Chiefs in 2023 where he won his second Super Bowl. 

A deep class of defensive lineman could have the Chiefs inspired to add more to their rotation after bringing back Pennel and signing Jerry Tillery this offseason. 

Kansas City does possess needs on their offensive line as well, so the team's first selection at pick No. 31 in the first round could go any number of ways. 

For now, the Chiefs return a familiar face and one that should continue to help Spagnuolo's defense up front.