A two-time Super Bowl champion with Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes, and Travis Kelce is staying with the Kansas City Chiefs for the 2025 NFL season.
The Kansas City Chiefs will see familiar faces when they return to activities for the 2025 NFL season. While Travis Kelce postponing his retirement might be the biggest news for the team this offseason, Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes will also count on other key contributors to chase a fourth Super Bowl ring together
On Tuesday, the Chiefs announced that they re-signed defensive tackle Mike Pennel, who was part of two Super Bowl victories with Reid, Mahomes, and Kelce in Kansas City.
Pennel, who turns 34 in May, was a free agent after playing the last campaign with the Chiefs on a one-year deal, appearing in all 17 games of the 2024 NFL regular season (seven starts). His presence was limited to 30 percent of the defensive snaps and 11 percent of special teams reps, but he proved useful for the team in the past
Mike Pennel’s Super Bowl wins with Chiefs
After spending time with the Green Bay Packers (2014–2016) and New York Jets (2017–2018), Pennel landed in Kansas City for a first stint with the Chiefs in 2019, shortly after being cut by the New England Patriots.
Mike Pennel #64 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts after defeating San Francisco 49ers by 31 – 20in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida.
That season, he went on to earn his first ring as Mahomes orchestrated a comeback win over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVI, where Pennel recorded one tackle.
Pennel left for the Chicago Bears in 2021 and spent time with the Atlanta Falcons before going back to the Windy City, but 2023 saw him reunite with Reid in Kansas City. And he would prove crucial for the team only a few months later.
With six total tackles (two solo and one for a loss), Pennel played a key role in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVIII win over the 49ers, helping the defense hold the Niners’ strong running game. Pennel’s performance, in fact, was rewarded with the NFL Way To Play Award.
Pennel’s desire to retire a Chief
That kind of outing explains why Reid prefers to keep him around. In 2024, Pennel produced a career-high three sacks, adding 25 total tackles and a forced fumble to his stats. Last year, he revealed that his desire is to retire in Kansas City.
“Everything,” Pennel told the media in November 2024 when asked what it means to him to play for the Chiefs, via A to Z Sports. “This is kind of home for me, you know? Just trying to end up finishing my career here, you know, it’s been great success here both times, and just trying to continue that. And, you know, the family atmosphere, the teammates, the coaches, you know, they make it feel the same every time. So it’s great to be here.”
While most of their championship aspirations rely on the core formed by Reid, Mahomes, and Kelce; the Chiefs know that they cannot do it all on their own. The Philadelphia Eagles showed that in February. Pennel is one of the silent contributors who help the trio succeed, which is why his return shouldn’t be underrated.