Mike Pennel Joins Active Squad for the Kansas City Chiefs

As the Kansas City Chiefs gear up for a make-or-break stretch of the 2024 NFL season—with their AFC West title streak and playoff seeding on the line—the team has made a key addition to shore up a critical position: defensive tackle Mike Pennel has been elevated from the practice squad to the active roster, the Chiefs announced on Thursday. The move comes as Kansas City deals with injuries along the defensive line, including a recent knee injury to starter Derrick Nnadi that has sidelined him for two weeks. Pennel, a 10-year NFL veteran with a reputation for clogging run lanes and disrupting opposing offenses, brings much-needed depth and experience to a unit that has struggled to slow down elite rushing attacks in recent weeks. Mike Pennel Joins Active Squad for the Kansas City Chiefs explores Pennel’s fit with the Chiefs, his career trajectory, and how his addition could impact the team’s defensive performance down the stretch.

Mike Pennel Joins Active Squad for the Kansas City Chiefs begins with Pennel’s journey to Kansas City—a path that has seen him emerge as one of the league’s most reliable rotational defensive tackles. The 6-foot-4, 332-pound lineman entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2014, signing with the Green Bay Packers, where he spent four seasons honing his craft as a run-stopping specialist. Over the years, he’s played for the New York Jets, New England Patriots, and Chicago Bears, establishing a reputation for his strength at the point of attack: he’s recorded 265 career tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 18 tackles for loss, with a career highlight of 47 tackles and 1 sack for the Bears in 2022. Pennel joined the Chiefs’ practice squad in early November 2024, after being released by the Bears, and has spent the past month learning Kansas City’s defensive scheme and working with position coaches to refine his fit. “Mike came in here with a professional mindset from day one,” Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen said. “He’s a veteran who knows what it takes to win in this league, and he’s picked up our system faster than we expected. Adding him to the active squad was a no-brainer.”

To understand why Mike Pennel Joins Active Squad for the Kansas City Chiefs is such a critical move, it’s essential to look at the Chiefs’ recent defensive line struggles—especially against the run. Entering Week 16, Kansas City ranks 22nd in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game (121.8), a significant drop from their 11th-ranked finish in 2023. The issues have been amplified by injuries: Nnadi’s knee injury has left a void in the middle of the line, and backup defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton has been limited by a nagging ankle injury, forcing the Chiefs to rely on unproven rookies like Felix Anudike-Uzomah in extended snaps. Anudike-Uzomah, a first-round pick in 2024, has shown promise as a pass rusher but lacks Pennel’s size and experience in run defense—something the Chiefs desperately need against teams like the Cincinnati Bengals (Week 16 opponent) and Denver Broncos (Week 17), both of which boast top-15 rushing attacks. Pennel’s strength—he’s capable of taking on double teams and plugging gaps—directly addresses this weakness. “We’ve been looking for someone who can anchor the middle and stop the run on first and second down,” Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said. “Mike does that better than most players in this league. He’s going to make a big difference for us.”

Mike Pennel Joins Active Squad for the Kansas City Chiefs also examines the specific role Pennel is expected to play in Kansas City’s defense. Spagnuolo has indicated that Pennel will serve as a rotational run stopper, primarily playing on early downs (1st and 2nd down) to free up other defensive linemen—like Chris Jones, the Chiefs’ star pass rusher—to focus on pressuring the quarterback. In this role, Pennel will likely line up at nose tackle or 3-technique defensive tackle, using his size to occupy multiple blockers and create lanes for linebackers like Willie Gay Jr. and Nick Bolton to make tackles. He may also see limited snaps in passing situations, where his ability to push the pocket could complement Jones’ interior pass rush. For the Kansas City Chiefs, Pennel’s role is about balance: he’ll stabilize the run defense while allowing the team’s pass-rushing weapons to thrive. “Chris Jones is one of the best pass rushers in the NFL, but he can’t do it all,” Cullen said. “Mike will take some of the pressure off Chris by handling the run-stopping duties, which means Chris can be more aggressive when we need him to get to the quarterback.”

Another layer of Mike Pennel Joins Active Squad for the Kansas City Chiefs is the timing of the move—coming just weeks before the playoffs, when depth and experience become even more valuable. The Chiefs are currently in a tight race with the Denver Broncos for the AFC West title, and they’ll face three tough opponents down the stretch: the Bengals (Week 16), Broncos (Week 17), and Buffalo Bills (Week 18). All three teams have strong running games—Cincinnati’s Joe Mixon has rushed for 987 yards, Denver’s Javonte Williams has 1,204 yards, and Buffalo’s James Cook has 1,012 yards—and the Chiefs need someone like Pennel to slow them down. Additionally, Pennel’s playoff experience (he’s played in 8 career playoff games, including a Super Bowl appearance with the Packers in 2016) will be an asset in high-pressure moments. For the Kansas City Chiefs, adding Pennel now isn’t just about fixing a short-term problem—it’s about positioning the team for postseason success. “Playoff football is different,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said. “You need guys who have been there before, guys who don’t get flustered when the stakes are high. Mike is that guy. He’s going to help us when it matters most.”

The final dimension of Mike Pennel Joins Active Squad for the Kansas City Chiefs is what this move says about the team’s commitment to winning now—and their ability to adapt to adversity. The Chiefs have a history of making shrewd midseason additions (like signing Sammy Watkins in 2018 and Jarran Reed in 2022) that pay off in the playoffs, and Pennel fits that mold: he’s a low-cost, high-impact player who addresses a clear need. His addition also sends a message to the rest of the team that the front office is willing to invest in talent to support their Super Bowl aspirations. For Pennel, the move is a chance to contribute to a contender after bouncing around the league in recent years. “I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to play for a team that’s in the thick of the playoff race,” Pennel said in his first press conference as a member of the active squad. “The Chiefs have a special thing going here, and I’m ready to do whatever it takes to help this team win. Whether that’s stopping the run, taking on double teams, or mentoring the young guys—I’m all in.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, Pennel’s arrival is more than just a roster move—it’s a boost of experience, grit, and depth that could be the difference between another AFC West title and a disappointing early playoff exit. As the Chiefs prepare for the Bengals, all eyes will be on Pennel to see if he can make an immediate impact—and help keep Kansas City’s championship hopes alive.