Former Chiefs lineman Mike Pennel signs with Chicago Bears

After spending the last couple seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, defensive lineman Mike Pennel has landed a deal with the Chicago Bears. Terms of the deal were not yet known as of press time.

Pennel originally signed with the Chiefs nearly two years ago as a midseason addition during the team’s championship run of ’19. His addition immediately helped to solidify the run defense as the entire unit took a turn toward the better under Steve Spagnuolo in his first season as the team’s defensive coordinator (after the team let go of Bob Sutton).

Pennel was then brought back for a second season along the defensive line, but wasn’t as impactful of an element. The development of Turk Wharton and the presence of other options like Derrick Nnadi and Khalen Saunders returning for another season allowed the Chiefs to move on with a younger core. The Chiefs also signed Jarran Reed which made for a crowded room.

Pennel’s signing comes at an interesting time for the Bears, given that nose tackle Eddie Goldman remains missing from the team’s offseason activities and practices, even those at a recent mandatory minicamp. Pennel gives the team some security in case his absence lingers into the summer and even with him in the fold.

A bit of a journeyman to date, Pennel began his NFL career with three seasons in Green Bay with the Packers before joining the New York Jets for a couple more seasons. The Bears are now his fourth NFL franchise in the year he turns 30 years old.