The Kansas City Chiefs finalized the expected Mike Pennel reunion on October 29, ahead of a Week 9 matchup with the Buffalo Bills, and it wasn’t long before an NFL insider relayed news of the corresponding roster cut.
“Chiefs signed NT Mike Pennel and waived DE Malik Herring,” ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported on Wednesday evening. It’s nothing new for Herring, who has seesawed on and off the Chiefs’ active roster for years.
Herring began his professional career as an undrafted prospect out of Georgia. His first action came during the 2022 season, and the veteran role player has since spent the past four years within the Kansas City organization.
In total, Herring has appeared in 32 games (including playoffs) for KC over the past four seasons. He has only registered 1.5 sacks during that span of time, along with 3 tackles for a loss and 6 QB hits.
Herring has also forced 1 fumble and recovered 1 fumble, separately, and has been credited with 1 pass breakup.
The former UDFA is not really much of a special teamer and has mostly rotated in on defense throughout his career. He has logged 450 defensive snaps compared to just 34 on special teams.
Assuming he clears waivers, it wouldn’t be surprising if Herring re-signs to KC’s practice squad later this week.
Mike Pennel Immediately Returns to KC After Chiefs Fail Miserably at Attempted Youth Movement
GettyVeteran defensive tackle Mike Pennel with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024.
Pennel did not leave Kansas City by choice this summer. He was released at the 53-man deadline, and the Chiefs chose to go in a different direction following that decision.
The clear emphasis from general manager Brett Veach and the coaching staff was to get younger at defensive tackle in 2025, drafting Omarr Norman-Lott, while simultaneously bringing in fliers like Jerry Tillery, Brodric Martin, and Zacch Pickens.
The latter two remain on the practice squad, along with popular gameday elevation Marlon Tuipulotu, and Pennel will join Tillery, Chris Jones, and fellow veteran Derrick Nnadi on the 53.
So, the plan to get younger didn’t really stick, considering the Chiefs made moves to reacquire both Nnadi and Pennel after initially letting each walk.
Obviously, it’s always a goal to include forward-thinking in a GM’s roster-building mentality, but with Norman-Lott on the injured reserve, Kansas City had to call an audible. The future of their D-tackle room will return in 2026, but for now, the priority is winning another championship, and the Chiefs can’t afford to roster players who are learning on the job.
For that reason, Pennel is right back where he belongs. And Jones — his biggest vocal supporter — is no doubt pleased by that development.
Chiefs’ Defensive Line Will Face Tough Test in Week 9
Pennel’s return couldn’t come soon enough, as the Chiefs’ run defense will be tested in Week 9. In the past, Buffalo has had a run-and-gun offense with superstar Josh Allen pulling the strings, but the 2025 reiteration of the Bills is very run-heavy.
Former second-round pick James Cook is having a career year in 2025, rushing for 6.0 yards per carry and 107.6 yards per game. Those numbers just ballooned in Week 8, as Cook ran the ball 19 times for 216 yards and 2 touchdowns against the Carolina Panthers — a yards per carry of 11.4 YPC.
So, to slow down this Bills offense in 2025, you must first slow down Cook. Then, on top of that, you also have to contain Allen, who can easily gash a defense on the ground.
Needless to say, it’ll be good to have an experienced run defender like Pennel in Week 9.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Chiefs Waive 4-Year Contributor After Reunion News: Report appeared first on Heavy Sports.