The Kansas City Chiefs are heading into the 2025-26 season, and Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and company are ready for the action. However, as all teams have to do going into a new season, the Chiefs have made some major roster decisions, and some have been better received than others.Andy Reid is a coach known for making great decisions. At this point, those rooting for the Chiefs should absolutely trust Reid’s gut and the analytical way that he goes about making those decisions. But, sometimes a move seems off, and it’s okay to question that. Nobody is perfect, after all.
But, a surprising move that Reid and the Chiefs made just before the season, in a way, is coming back to bite them. It’s one decision that Reid and the rest of the powers at the Kansas City Chiefs might wish had never been made.
Cut Kanas City Chiefs Player Isn’t Coming Back
When Reid let Mike Pennel walk during the offseason, many thought he would end up back with the Kansas City Chiefs under a new deal. He was a favorite teammate, and the decision to let him go was not expected.
The Chiefs’ decision left Pennel available as a free agent heading into Week 1, and the Cincinnati Bengals were quick to take advantage of having Pennel available to sign. According to NFL reporter Jordan Schultz, the Bengals decided to sign Pennel on Monday, September 1.
One of the reasons it was so unexpected that the Chiefs let Pennel go is because he had been a reliable force on the squad for a while now. During the 2024-25 season, he started in seven games alongside Chris Jones and actually appeared in all 17 games. The Bengals need all the help they can get, especially on defense, so this is like manna for the franchise.
Pennel is a seasoned player. He has appeared in 138 games in 11 seasons, counting three seasons for the Chiefs. He started his NFL career as an undrafted free agent after the 2014 NFL Draft and laded with the Green Bay Packers. For beginning in the league as an undrafted free agent, he’s really come a long way.
Former Kansas City Chiefs Player Seemed Like a Good Fit
Pennel was all in on the Chiefs early in the offseason. During the 2025 NFL draft, he spoke with Chief Concerns about the team.
“The thing about the Chiefs (is) they’re very intentional,” Pennel said regarding the NFL draft. “So, I mean, they’re not going to bring in… I’ve never seen many scenarios where guys are just a camp body. They’re really bringing guys to evaluate, or people that they see have all types of intangibles, talents, all types of things, the way they can be a player that is successful and produce.”
Pennel also praised rookie Febien Lovett, who ended up with the Patriots. “So, with Fabien (Lovett), man, he’s just extremely athletic,” Pennel said. “He reminds me a lot of me coming into the league my rookie year. Kind of technique a little raw, but he’s strong as an ox. He’s athletic. He’s taking everything seriously every day.”
Let’s hope the Kansas City Chiefs don’t miss Pennel too much, and let’s also wish him well with his new team. Hopefully he succeeds, so long as it’s not against the Chiefs.
