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The Kansas City Chiefs were expected to make a move this season. With several players returning from injury, head coach Andy Reid’s roster looks closer to full strength. Still, depth remains a concern at a few key spots. To help shore that up, the Chiefs have brought back a familiar face.

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Tackle Mike Pennel, who was earlier released by the Chiefs, is reportedly re-signing with them after being released by the Cincinnati Bengals, as per Chiefs Blitz. During his last stint, he was a crucial part in leading the Chiefs to secure the Super Bowl LVII win. That’s not even all.

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After signing with the Chiefs back in 2019, he helped the team make it to the AFC championship. He was part of the roster during Super Bowl LIV, when he had a tackle in the 31–20 win over the San Francisco 49ers. He stayed with the team till 2020 before joining the Chicago Bears.

He returned to the Chiefs for his second stint and had equal success with the team, earning a one-year contract back in March this year. However, he was released after the training camp. Following this, he joined the Bengals in September this season.

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Now, despite racking up 15 tackles across the last 8 games, he was released. He’s logged 146 games with 25 starts, racking up 246 tackles, five sacks, and three fumble recoveries during his career. And he could still be a good fit for the Chiefs. Defensive tackle Chris Jones would be thrilled if the player were to return.

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“Hopefully, life goes full circle when we get my guy back,” Jones said a few weeks ago. “Mike Pennel is a heck of a locker-room guy. And so many things I can say about my brother. We got to get my brother back.”

And tackle isn’t the only thing that needs the team’s attention. As per sources, the Chiefs must explore the available running back options. There have been issues. Nick Brinkerhoff believes that the team might be interested in acquiring New York Jets starting running back Breece Hall.

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He is currently in his final year of his contract and might become a free agent next season. The Cleveland Browns running back, Jerome Ford, could be one option.

Moreover, the Chiefs’ general manager is actively exploring the trade market to find the best fit.

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Clark Hunt touched upon Brett Veach’s aggressive approach

It all depends on what the team needs right now. Will they be making any trades? As per the team chairman and CEO, Clark Hunt, general manager Brett Veach is always on the lookout for the right players to strengthen the roster. And he won’t hesitate to make a move if necessary.

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He also pointed out Veach’s track record of pulling off major trades before the deadline. Brett Veach has historically been pretty aggressive at the trade deadline,” he said. “If he feels like we have a need, he is not shy about going out and addressing it — and I think that will be true again this year.” He is likely looking through all the players from the 31 NFL teams to support their roster.

While expressing confidence in his GM, he also credited coach Reid for turning the team’s fortunes around. “One of the things that Andy and his staff have done so well across the years is to help the team improve as we go throughout the season,” he said. “I think that has been very evident over the last four or so weeks.”

 With Pennel back in the fold, it seems Kansas City might be gearing up for another deep playoff run.

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Pritha Debroy

3,476 Articles

Pritha Debroy works with the NFL Lifestyle Desk at EssentiallySports, where she explores the league beyond the sidelines and focuses on the cultural nuances of football. Bringing a fresh perspective shaped by her background in basketball lifestyle stories and cross-sport expertise, she highlights how NFL athletes build influence off the field. A graduate of the EssentiallySports Journalistic Excellence Program, our in-house initiative that trains writers under industry experts, Pritha specializes in long-form features and player-driven stories that capture the evolving identity of today’s NFL stars. Pritha combines her passion for storytelling with a thoughtful approach to sports culture and lifestyle. With strong communication skills and an eye for detail, she brings a distinctive voice to NFL journalism, delivering engaging and insightful content that resonates with readers.

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Bhwya Sriya

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