KC Chiefs still have surprising players available in free agency
By Matt Conner
Mike Pennel, DL
Of all of the “surprises” listed, the availability of Mike Pennel at this stage of free agency is likely least on the scale. That said, we’re still confused seeing Pennel among the remaining free agents given his experience and production over the last two years specifically in Kansas City.
It is here, perhaps, that we see the idea that a player is paid for what he will do and not what he’s done very clearly, but Pennel has showed up strong for the Chiefs in his two-year run with the team as a run-stuffing defensive lineman who was especially integral during the Chiefs’ run to a Super Bowl in 2019. At that juncture, he was instrumental in turning around a defense that was needing a couple more pieces and considerable reps to come together on the fly. Pennel more than delivered as much-needed muscle up front.
Pennel has been a journeyman by anyone’s definition and those players tend to last until the summer signing period, but at this point, he is a solid rotational lineman who comes with deep postseason experience. The Chiefs brought him back last spring for another year for good reason, but now things look a bit too crowded along the defensive interior due to the emergence of Turk Wharton, the presence of Khalen Saunders, and the unexpected signing of Jarran Reed. Together with Chris Jones and Derrick Nnadi, the Chiefs just have too much talent already in hand.
Someone will benefit from the overcrowding at the position for the Chiefs and snatch up a solid addition in Pennel at some point before the season begins. It’s just a surprise he has to wait this long.