Mike Pennel's return offers a bit more help for the Chiefs' defensive interior

The Kansas City Chiefs have a couple of key positions that will require significant attention this offseason, one of those being the defensive interior. The good news is that the team has strengthed things just a tad with the re-signing of veteran run-stuffer Mike Pennel.

Pennel returned to the Chiefs last season midway through the year and sat on the practice squad for a few weeks before being elevated to the active roster. He ended up playing the final three games of the regular season and contributing in every game during the team's postseason run.

The Chiefs were able to add another veteran back into the mix of run defenders in free agency.

Pennel provides limited reps up front, but as a giant run-stopper, he provides value on obvious rushing downs for the opposing offense. He's a favorite of the Chiefs' coaching staff and was welcomed back with open arms for a second stint with the team after having already spent time with the Chiefs in 2019-20.

While the Chiefs will enjoy having Pennel as part of the mix of competitors, the team still has needs up front to address. The re-signing of Chris Jones was the biggest step to take this offseason, but the Chiefs also watched Derrick Nnadi and Tershawn Wharton become free agents on Wednesday. Now Pennel joins Jones and Neil Farrell as the most prominent competitors inside.

Pennel, who is now 32 years old, signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent back in 2014 and has played for the Bears, Falcons, and Jets as well in his NFL career.