Mike Pennel walked into the Chiefs’ media room for an interview on Friday wearing a big smile, like he was greeting the familiar faces of old friends.
His first words: “Hey guys! It’s good to be back.”
After his release from the Cincinnati Bengals earlier in the week, there was no place Pennel wanted to be more than in Kansas City. This is his home, in more ways than one.
And now Pennel, 34, will suit up for the Chiefs for the third different stint of his pro-football career when Kansas City visits Buffalo on Sunday.
Pennel has spent a total of four of his 12 NFL seasons with the Chiefs, winning Super Bowl rings after the 2019 and 2022 seasons and playing in two other Super Bowls. With the Chiefs, he’s appeared in 13 playoff games, winning 11.
What’s more, he’s a Topeka native. As a child, Pennel and his mother commuted to Children’s Mercy Hospital, where 2-year-old Mike underwent treatment for a form of kidney cancer.
“You know, my family is here, I when through chemo here,” he said. “I’ve always been attached to (Kansas City). Everybody knows I love KC.”
Pennel was in training camp with the Chiefs and was a surprise cut before the final roster was set. He got picked up by the Bengals and appeared in eight games for them this season.
The Chiefs were in need of a defensive tackle. Rookie Omarr Norman-Lott was lost for the season after suffering a torn ACL in KC’s Week 7 game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Chiefs were down to Derrick Nnadi, who also had returned to the team (after being traded to the New York Jets when last season ended); Jerry Tillery; and Marlon Tuipulotu. Those were the players KC had available to rotate in with Chris Jones during Monday’s win over the Washington Commanders.
The Chiefs held up well in a 28-7 victory, but Pennel — known as a run-stuffing defender — will bring experience and depth to the position group.”
“The good thing about Mike is he was here before this season,” Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said. “I think it is probably an easier transition for him than going someplace else.
“We’re glad that we got him. Mike is a fun guy to have around, and a good football player. So we’re happy about that.”
Jones is ecstatic. Earlier this month he made a plea to bring back Pennel, saying, “We’ve got to get my brother back.”
On Thursday, Jones stamped his seal of approval on the move.
“Mike brings a veteran presence,” Jones said. “He’s good for the locker room. A great guy. Like one of my brothers, you know? A lot of good things I could say about him. Just bringing positive energy. I think that’s something that goes underrated in a football locker room. A good high-energy guy.”
Pennel said he heard Jones’ appeal all the way from Cincinnati.
“Yeah, I saw all that crazy stuff,” Pennel said.