Just in: Kansas City Chiefs has confirm a new signing..

admin | December 9, 2023 | Kansas City Chiefs | No Comments

Defense Tackle Signed by the KC Chiefs Practice Squad to See Mike Pennel
Reuniting with an old friend who was instrumental in the team’s run for two Super Bowl titles is Kansas City.

While the Kansas City Chiefs are getting ready for their Week 8 game against the Denver Broncos, general manager Brett Veach is busy making some moves off the field.

The NFL transaction report and the Chiefs’ official online roster listing both confirmed what Charles Goldman of A to Z Sports first reported—that Kansas City is adding veteran defensive tackle Mike Pennel to the practice squad. Wide receiver Daniel Arias is being released in a corresponding move that, as of the publication of this article, has not yet been updated on the team website.

Pennel, a native of Topeka, Kansas, which is relatively close by, turned 32 in May. The Chiefs in 2019 and 2020 are among the five teams the former undrafted free agent from 2014 has appeared in regular season games for. He recorded 53 tackles, three quarterback hits, two tackles for loss, and a sack in 22 games played in Kansas City.

Since he joined the Chiefs in October of that year and helped out along Steve Spagnuolo’s defensive line, Pennel is primarily remembered for his contributions during the team’s run for the 2019–20 championship. After that, he participated in 13, 24, and 15 snaps across three playoff games. In Super Bowl LIV against the San Francisco 49ers, he recorded a tackle and a pass breakup. The next year, despite starting the season with a two-game suspension, he played in all 49 postseason snaps and was active during the regular season. Of those, eighteen were sustained in a defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV.

Despite working out with the Indianapolis Colts last week, Pennel was not able to sign a contract with the team. The 332-pound defensive lineman now stands alongside players like Truman Jones on the Chiefs practice squad.

Chiefs Sign Two, Waive Injured Rookie, Including Brother of $30 Million Vet: Report

After playing the New Orleans Saints in the preseason, the Kansas City Chiefs have made a few roster changes to their 90-man group.

Ex-Chiefs Super Bowl Champion Cut by NFC Squad

On August 15, Chiefs Digest insider Matt Derrick broke the news, which was also verified by Pete Sweeney of Arrowhead Pride.

Olakunle Fatukasi was an undrafted rookie out of Rutgers who played in 13 NFL games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to Pro Football Reference. After that, he became a member of the Denver Broncos practice squad and started playing for the New England Patriots in 2023.

With six career tackles (four solo), the 24-year-old should have a chance to compete for a spot on the practice squad in Kansas City following the Chiefs’ injury settlement of UDFA linebacker Isaiah Moore.

Mike Pennel says Patriots lacked transparency during his tenure

Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline previously scouted Fatukasi as a “smart, tough linebacker who plays bigger than his listed size” (240 pounds), having been a teammate of Kansas City running back Isiah Pacheco. “Breaks down well, works his hands throughout the action, and plays with excellent balance,” the draft expert went on. Locates ball handlers right away, reads plays and diagnoses them quickly, and moves well laterally to the action. Smoothly cycling in reverse and gaining depth during pass descents. captures the right angles on plays and completes the tackle.

The “average closing burst” and “lack of height [that] creates mismatches in coverage” were two of Fatukasi’s shortcomings that Pauline emphasized. All things considered, the PFN analyst believed he fit the profile of an NFL reserve middle linebacker who needs to “stand out” on special teams.