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

“Two-Time Super Bowl Champ Cut Loose — and the Chiefs Might Be Bringing One of Their Own Home Again
Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Mike Pennel (69) against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium.

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.

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After hearing about teammate Marshawn Kneeland's suicide, Dak Prescott called it "Trigger Day," a moment that relived the pain of losing his brother, Jace
After hearing the news that his teammate Marshawn Kneeland had taken his own life, Dak Prescott called it the “Trigger Day” a moment that made him relive the pain of losing his younger brother Jace. And the message Dak rose above his grief to share has touched millions of hearts. Dallas, Texas – November 6, 2025 When the tragic news of teammate Marshawn Kneeland’s death spread through the Cowboys locker room, Dak Prescott sat silently in the corner, his eyes empty. No one said a word. For Dak, that moment wasn’t just the loss of a teammate — it was what he called a “trigger day,” when all the painful memories of losing his younger brother Jace — who took his own life in 2020 — came rushing back. “I know that feeling. The feeling when you wish you could’ve said something — just one thing — before it was too late,” Dak said during an emotional press conference. But instead of letting the pain consume him, he decided to act. Just one day after Kneeland’s funeral, Dak quietly organized a team meeting — not to talk about game plans or strategy, but simply about being human. Standing in the middle of the locker room, his voice trembling but steady, he told his teammates: “We’ve got to talk. We’ve got to share. We’ve got to listen. Football teaches us how to take hits but no one ever teaches us how to heal.I couldn’t save Jace, and that regret will stay with me for the rest of my life. But if today I can save even one person who’s silently hurting the way my brother once did, then every tear, every bit of pain… will have been worth it.” The room fell silent; several players lowered their heads, wiping away tears. From that moment, Dak Prescott officially launched a campaign called “Check In, Not Out” — a movement encouraging regular mental health check-ins within the NFL. He urged the league to build a stronger psychological support network for players, especially for young athletes entering the league. “Don’t wait until it’s too late to say you love someone,” he emphasized — a line that quickly became a rallying cry, printed on practice shirts and shared across social media within hours. Many stars, including Joe Burrow, voiced their support for Dak’s initiative. Even NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell praised the movement, calling it “one of the most compassionate steps forward in league history.” Dak Prescott once lost a brother to depression. Now, he’s turning that pain into purpose — using his platform to save others. And in a brutal sport where hard hits often hide deeper wounds, Dak’s actions remind everyone of a powerful truth: sometimes, the greatest victory doesn’t happen on the field — it’s when you help someone keep living.