4t BENGALS CUT TO CHIEFS CROWN? Two-Time Super Bowl Savior Mike Pennel Sparks Wild Rumors of a Kansas City Homecoming — Fans Lose Their Minds Over the “Could It Be Real?” Comeback

“Two-Time Super Bowl Champ Cut Loose — and the Chiefs Might Be Bringing One of Their Own Home Again”

The Kansas City Chiefs could be on the verge of a reunion that feels almost too perfect to ignore. After veteran defensive tackle Mike Pennel was released by the Cincinnati Bengals, speculation is growing that the 12th-year pro might soon find himself back where he won two Super Bowl rings — in Kansas City. For a team that’s still chasing another championship and looking to tighten up its run defense, the timing couldn’t be better.

Pennel, a 34-year-old former Arizona State standout, was quietly productive this season in Cincinnati. In eight games, he recorded 15 tackles (including one for loss) and earned a 61.3 PFF grade, ranking him around the middle of the pack among interior defenders. There was no reported injury, and his release — as CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones noted — came without explanation. Now a free agent, Pennel doesn’t have to clear waivers, meaning any team, including Kansas City, can sign him immediately.

For the Chiefs, the potential reunion almost writes itself. Pennel knows Steve Spagnuolo’s defensive system inside and out. During his two separate stints in Kansas City, he played a key role in solidifying the middle of the line and helping the team lift two Lombardi trophies. Spagnuolo’s current defense ranks fourth overall in the league and third against the pass, but their run defense sits at 11th — a weakness that could be exploited down the stretch.

In contrast, current defensive tackles Derrick Nnadi (PFF grade 30.0, the worst among all interior defenders) and Jerry Tillery (51.2, ranked 100th out of 127) have struggled to consistently plug running lanes. Adding Pennel back into the mix would give the Chiefs a proven veteran who can eat space, command double teams, and bring energy to a locker room he already knows by heart.

And for Pennel, the move would be personal. In a heartfelt reflection shared privately with friends after his release, he expressed that “if I ever get the chance, I’d love to be back in Kansas City — that’s where my brothers are, where I helped build something special. The Chiefs aren’t just a team to me. They’re home.”

With Kansas City sitting atop the AFC West and chasing yet another deep playoff run, a Pennel reunion feels less like nostalgia — and more like smart football. Sometimes, the best way forward is to bring back the people who already helped you win.