Chiefs star defensive tackle Chris Jones has a solution for the teamâs spotty run defense, and itâs a familiar one.
Jones, speaking Thursday ahead of a key AFC West matchup against the Raiders, implored Kansas City to bring back veteran defensive lineman Mike Pennel.
Pennel has had two separate stints with the Chiefs: first from 2019-20, and again from 2023-24. He won a pair of Super Bowls during that time but left in the offseason to play for the Bengals.
In seven games with Cincinnati, the 6-foot-4, 332-pound Pennel has 15 tackles (four solo).
Chiefs Defense Missing ‘Everything’ Without Pennel
The Chiefs are 12th in total defense but have been inconsistent against the run. Opponents are averaging 119.2 rushing yards per game, ranking 19th in the NFL.
When asked what the Chiefsâ defense is missing without Pennel, Jones replied, âEverything,â before going into more detail.
âHopefully, life goes full circle when we get my guy back,â Jones said. âMike 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.â
Pennel, 34, appeared in all 17 games (seven starts) for the Chiefs last season, notching 25 tackles, three sacks and one fumble recovery. He re-signed with Kansas City on a one-year deal in March but was released on Aug. 26 as part of final roster cuts.
Pennel joined the Bengalsâ practice squad days later. He was elevated to the active roster for Week 1 and had four tackles in a 17-16 win over the Browns.
Chiefs’ Run Defense Excelled in Week 6 Win
Pro Football Focus (PFF) currently grades Pennel as the 67th-best interior defensive lineman among 192 eligible players.
The Chiefs have missed Pennelâs presence up front, which is why Jones has been so adamant about bringing him back.
They held the Lionsâ explosive ground game in check in Week 6, limiting Jahmyr Gibbs to 65 yards on 17 carries in a 30-17 win. Still, sooner than later the Chiefs will need to fill in the gaps to have a shot at returning to a fourth straight Super Bowl.
Omarr Norman-Lott, a rookie second-round pick from Tennessee, has started alongside Jones at defensive tackle. The 6-3, 315-pound Norman-Lott has four tackles and one sack in four games.
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