Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Chiefs Super Bowl Champion Cut on Tuesday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Oct 28, 2025 6:30 PM ET

Chris Jones and the Kansas City Chiefs continued their hot streak in Week 8's edition of "Monday Night Football," jumping to 5-3 on the 2025 NFL season after taking down Dan Quinn and the Washington Commanders 28-7 at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs' defense had another solid outing, only allowing 260 total yards and forcing two turnovers, but Jones only recorded one tackle himself.

The Cincinnati Bengals, meanwhile, couldn’t get it done in Week 8, falling to 1-7 after a 39-38 loss to the previously winless New York Jets. The Bengals gave up a staggering 502 total yards, including 254 on the ground, to one of the NFL’s weakest offenses and failed to record a single sack. Following the poor defensive showing, Cincinnati decided to part ways with one of its defensive tackles.

Former Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Mike Pennel during an NFL gameMark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Mike Pennel, after four seasons with numerous college programs, went undrafted in 2014 before joining the Green Bay Packers for three seasons. In 2019, he joined the Chiefs for two seasons, helping them win a Super Bowl. After bouncing around the NFL for a few years, Pennel rejoined Kansas City in 2023, winning his second Super Bowl with the team.

Pennel signed with the Bengals before the 2025 season, and through seven games, he has only managed 15 total tackles and one stuff. And on Tuesday, Cincinnati decided it was time to part ways with the defensive tackle,

"The Bengals release veteran DT Mike Pennel," CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones wrote on X.

The Bengals release veteran DT Mike Pennel
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) October 28, 2025

With the Chiefs recently losing rookie Omarr Norman-Lott for the season, Jones could certainly use help at the position. And sure enough, according to Sports Radio 10 WHB's Jason Anderson, Pennel is back in Kansas City and is expected to return with the team.

"I’m told Mike Pennel is back in KC and returning to the Chiefs," Anderson wrote on X.

Jones would certainly be happy getting his old teammate back, recently opening up on what the Chiefs miss without Pennel.

“Everything!" Jones said. "And hopefully, you know, life throws a full circle, and we get my guy back. Mike Pennel is a heck of a locker room guy, and you know so many things I can say about my brother. We’ve got to get my brother back.”

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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