Tag: mike pennel

5 best bargain contracts for Chiefs in 2020

The Kansas City Chiefs have some true bargain contracts on the roster.

The Kansas City Chiefs have retained many starters from Super Bowl LIV and assembled quite the roster for the 2020 season. General manager Brett Veach has managed to add and keep some players at well below market value too. Here’s a look at five of the best bargain contracts the Chiefs currently have on the roster for the upcoming season.

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QB Patrick Mahomes

Average Salary: $4.1 million per Spotrac

Let’s start with the most obvious.

Any time you have the former NFL MVP and reigning Super Bowl MVP on his rookie contract, it’s going to be considered a bargain. He might not be on his rookie deal for much longer as negotiations for a contract extension are reportedly underway. That means we need to enjoy this while we still have it.

Even if Mahomes and the Chiefs don’t reach an extension in 2020, his salary jumps significantly in 2021 because of his fifth-year option. He’ll make over $24 million as it stands now, but that number could be adjusted based on the 2021 salary cap.

Even if Mahomes faces statistical regression during the 2020 season, he’s widely regarded as one of the best players in the NFL. The money they’re paying him is a deal and then some. Right now, there are 26 teams spending more money on the quarterback position than the Chiefs in 2020.

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Chiefs re-sign DT Mike Pennel to one-year deal

The menace in the middle is back! Mike Pennel is returning to Kansas City on a one-year deal.

The Kansas City Chiefs are bringing back an important contributor on the defensive side of the ball for the 2020 NFL season.

Defensive tackle Mike Pennel will re-sign with the Chiefs on a one-year contract as first reported by NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero. Pennel, who joined the Chiefs in October of 2019 as a free agent, played a huge role in the defensive resurgence Kansas City saw late in the season. At 6-4 and 330 pounds, his specialty is stopping the run.

According to Kansas City Star reporter Herbie Teope, the end goal for Pennel was always to return to Kansas City. It makes sense that the player who grew up as a Chiefs fan in Topeka, Kansas would want to stay with the team. It makes even more sense that he’d want to stay a season after he helped the team end their 50-year Super Bowl drought.

There were other teams with some interest in free agency such as the Dallas Cowboys, who were reportedly doing their homework on Pennel and a number of other defensive tackles.

Developing…

Report: Cowboys ‘doing their homework’ on DTs including Chiefs free agent Mike Pennel

This is the first mention of the fan-favorite Kansas City Chiefs free agent, Mike Pennel, potentially signing with another team.

Several free agents from the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV team have seen a slow-developing market.

As we begin the second week of the NFL’s free agency period, we’ll start to hear more about some players that are still available. Today, we’ve seen our first mention of Chiefs free agent DT Mike Pennel, who is a player that Brett Veach expressed interest in retaining.

According to NFL Network reporter Jane Slater, the Cowboys are on the hunt for defensive tackle help. They’ve been “doing their homework” on several players at the position including Pennel and former Chiefs draft pick Dontari Poe.

While it sounds like they may ultimately go with Poe, this is the first time we’ve heard of any public interest in Pennel. It’ll be interesting to see how his market continues to develop through the remainder of free agency. Pennel was left unsigned for months in 2019 after being released by the New England Patriots in August. He didn’t join the Chiefs until halfway through the month of October.

Pennel is a native of Topeka, Kansas and grew up rooting for the Chiefs. He turned out to be a fantastic midseason add for Kansas City, who completely transformed a previously vapid run defense. At 6-4 and over 330 pounds, he helped cut the average rushing yards allowed per game for the Chiefs nearly in half from Week 13 onward. He quickly became a fan favorite and established himself as a leader in the locker room in Kansas City, bringing another energetic personality to the defensive front.

It may be discouraging to hear about interest in Pennel from the Cowboys, but it isn’t time to rule out a return to the Chiefs yet.

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Pending free agent DT Mike Pennel would like to remain with Chiefs

Pennel is scheduled to become a free agent at the start of the new league year.

Defensive tackle Mike Pennel was a midseason addition by the Kansas City Chiefs, signing a one-year deal with the team in October. The 28-year-old had previously spent time with the Green Bay Packers and the New York Jets but was cut loose by the New England Patriots in August.

Pennel played a big role in the Chiefs’ late-season defensive resurgence after claiming a spot in the defensive line rotation. With Super Bowl LIV in the rearview, the pending free agent hopes to make Kansas City a more permanent home.

“I’d definitely like to stay here,” Pennel told Kansas City Star beat writer Herbie Teope. “I know this is the place where I work well with the coaches, I love the fan base, I love the city and my family stays out here.

“I know it’s a business, but I told my agents and I told everybody in the Kansas City Chiefs organization that I’d like to be back.”

The Topeka, Kansas native got the impression from his exit meetings that the Chiefs would like him back for the 2020 season and perhaps beyond.

“Exit interviews are easy when you win a Super Bowl,” Pennel said. “I’ve never been a part of that, it was short and sweet. But the general consensus was they would like to have me back.”

As the Chiefs try and build a 2020 roster that can defend their Super Bowl title, they’ll have a lot of players to consider. Pennel’s priority seems to be working to remain in Kansas City because the fit is basically perfect.

“Just for everything they did reviving my career, this being one of my favorite teams and working well with the coaching staff and everybody in the city,” Pennel said. “I think for me as long as I want to play, the few more years I want to play, I think it would be the best opportunity to play here.”

Pennel has also become somewhat of a fan favorite, so you know the Chiefs Kingdom would be happy to see him back, especially if there are some other tough roster choices during this upcoming offseason.

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How did former Jets fare in 2019 after leaving New York?

Here’s how some notable players performed a year after playing for the Jets in 2018.

The Jets had a lot of roster turnover between 2018 and 2019 — thanks in part to a lot of organizational turnover — which left a handful of players in new locations this past season.

There were an abundance of notable players from New York’s 2018 roster that were on different teams in 2019. That list includes Darron Lee, Mike Pennel, Morris Claiborne, Buster Skrine, Jason Myers, Leonard Williams, Andre Roberts, Josh McCown, Isaiah Crowell and Jermaine Kearse.

Let’s take a look at how those 10 players performed after leaving the Jets.

Super Bowl Champs

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Three former Jets were were part of the Super Bowl-winning Kansas City Chiefs: Darron Lee, Mike Pennel and Morris Claiborne.

Lee found himself in a backup role this season with the Chiefs after being a three-year starter for the Jets. After having three straight seasons of 40+ tackles, Lee only recorded 22 tackles in his first season in Kansas City.

Despite not playing a full season, Pennel had one of the better years of his career. In the Super Bowl, he was one of the players who caused Jimmy Garoppolo to throw his first interception. Pennel had 13 total tackles and one sack during the regular season.

Like Lee, Claiborne was also a backup player. He only played in eight games and had nine tackles to go along with no pass defenses. It was the first time in his eight-career that he didn’t record a breakup.

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Chiefs’ Mike Pennel says Patriots lacked transparency during his tenure

“I’m just glad to be somewhere with a lot more transparency.”

Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Mike Pennel is en route to his first Super Bowl this season.

Before joining Kansas City, he was signed by the New England Patriots in the offseason and was cut by the end of preseason. He’s now a key cog on the defensive line, which is something the Patriots could’ve used while trying to shore up their run defense this season.

He wasn’t happy with his time in New England, and it was largely due to a lack of ‘transparency’, according to NESN’s Zack Cox.

“I’ll definitely keep the particulars of that to myself,” Pennel said. “But it was just with how the preseason was going and everything like that, me being a veteran, I kind of knew what was going on with the (decreased) reps and everything like that. I didn’t really understand what was going on and didn’t really get any answers. So after that point, it was a little bit of confusion, a little bit of relief when I got cut. But I’m just glad to be somewhere with a lot more transparency.”

Pennel mentioned a disconnect with defensive line coach Bret Bielema, who is now a New York Giant. He also said that he’s much more comfortable with his current defensive line coach Brendan Daly, who was with New England from 2015-2018.

“It’s different when you go up to your coach and talk life and not just football,” Pennel said. “It’s different when you can have a different technique or be able to talk through techniques with your coach. Some places you can do that; some places you can’t. New England wasn’t the place to do that.”

New England’s defense was rock-solid in every aspect, except for the run game. The Patriots could’ve used Pennel to solidify the defensive line, but either way, he found himself on a contending team.

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4 pending free agents in Super Bowl LIV the Chargers could consider signing

There are four pending free agents in Super Bowl LIV that the Los Angeles Chargers could consider signing.

The biggest game of the year is just days away, as the San Francisco 49ers are set to clash with the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV.

While many around the world are gathering around to watch the contest for entertainment purposes, teams across the league are using this as a part of their evaluation process for the offseason.

Each team will have a slew of soon-to-be free agents that could draw their attention. With that, here are four players that the Los Angeles Chargers should have their eyes on:

WR Demarcus Robinson, Chiefs

Wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams held the positional group down this past season, but there was hardly any production outside of those two, which means that adding a third wideout is an absolute must this offseason.

Robinson would be the perfect addition because he can stretch the field to open things up. He flourishes as a deep ball and after the catch threat, winning with his straight-line speed and creating slivers of separation with his athleticism and route rhythm to give his quarterback a manageable window.

Overshadowed by Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins and rookie Mecole Hardman, Robinson still managed to rack up a career-high 32 catches for 449 yards and four touchdowns during the 2019 regular season.

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After Jets declined his option, Mike Pennel boosted Chiefs’ run defense

After two years with the Jets, Mike Pennel has become one of the best run-stoppers on the Kansas City Chiefs defense

After two seasons with the Jets, Chiefs DT Mike Pennel finds himself on the cusp of a championship in his sixth year in the league.

The Jets claimed Pennel off waivers in 2017 to play alongside Leonard Williams, Muhammad Wilkerson and Steve McLendon. He didn’t play often, recording 35 tackles on 27 percent of snaps in 16 games, but he did enough to earn a three-year contract that offseason. But after a down 2018 season (27 tackles in 7starts/16 games), the Jets declined the option on his contract and sent him to free agency on Feb. 19, 2019.

The Chiefs picked up Pennel midway through the 2019 season after his two years with the Jets and a five-month stint with the Patriots. Though he’s only played in 13.94 percent of the Chiefs’ defensive snaps in 2019, Pennel is a crucial contributor to the Kansas City run defense. Before Pennel joined the team, the Chiefs allowed 148.6 rushing yards per game between Weeks 1-7. But after he signed in October, the Chiefs gave up only 126.1 rushing yards per game. Even better, Kansas City didn’t allow more than 100 team rushing yards during their two playoff games and held Titans running back Derrick Henry to only 69 yards on 19 careers – his lowest total since Week 9.

Pennel’s massive frame – he stands at 6-foot-4, 330 pounds – gave him incredible leverage in the run-stopping game this season and it’s helped him become a great rotational lineman for Steve Spagnuolo’s defense. He hasn’t put up wild numbers in Kansas City with just 24 total tackles, one sack and two quarterback hits, but he’s also never played more than 41 percent of snaps in a game.

Pennel will always be a quality role player, but he likely wouldn’t have seen much action on the Jets this past season after they drafted nose tackle Quinnen Williams third overall. Foley Fatukasi has also been a revelation for the Jets on the defensive line and came at a cheaper price than Pennel.

The Jets didn’t see a use for Pennel after a dip in production, but it appears the Chiefs have found a way to maximize the time he’s on the field. They’ll need all the help they can get against a San Francisco 49er running game that finished second in rushing yards per game in the regular season and tallied 235.5 rushing yards per game and three total rushing touchdowns in their two playoff games.

When the 49ers look to run the football in the Super Bowl, look for ex-Jet Pennel to be on the field.

3 Jets castoffs are heading to Super Bowl LIV

Morris Claiborne, Darron Lee and Mike Pennel are former Jets players who will be participating in Super Bowl XLV.

And then there were two.

The Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers will square off in Super Bowl LIV in Miami. Kansas City ended the Titans’ magical run with a 35-24 win Sunday, while the 49ers dominated the Packers, 37-20.

With these two teams one win away from winning a championship, let’s take a look at some former Jets players who will be participating in this year’s Super Bowl.

Morris Claiborne

AP Photo/Ed Zurga

This will be Morris Claiborne’s first Super Bowl.

Claiborne hasn’t been much of a contributor for the Chiefs, as he’s only been active in eight games. In both playoff games, Claiborne has been a healthy scratch.

Claiborne was with the Jets in 2017 and 2018 as the No. 1 cornerback. In two seasons, Claiborne recorded 78 total tackles, 22 pass defenses, three interceptions and a touchdown.

New York decided not to bring Claiborne back despite the team’s need for cornerbacks after he was suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

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Morris Claiborne, Mike Pettine among ex-Jets one win away from Super Bowl

Here are former Jets players and coaches that will be participating in Sunday’s AFC and NFC Championship games.

Rise and shine, it’s Championship Sunday.

The last time the Jets made it this far in the playoffs was the 2010 season. Rex Ryan was the head coach and the current Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator was leading New York’s defense.

Now, as the 2019 Jets sit at home, the six-seeded Titans are in Kansas City to take on the No. 2 Chiefs. Meanwhile, the No. 2 Packers are in San Francisco to take on the No. 1 49ers.

With these four teams just one win away from the Super Bowl, we thought we would take a look at a few ex-Jets participating in the second to last round of the playoffs.

Tennesee Titans

(Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports)

Anthony Firkser, who was originally signed by the Jets as an undrafted free agent out of Harvard, was part of final camp cuts for Gang Green in 2017.

Since then, Firkser has carved out a role as the third-string tight end for Tennesee. Over the past two seasons, Firkser has 33 receptions for 429 yards and two touchdowns. He had the game-winning touchdown reception for the Titans in their wild-card round win over the New England Patriots.

At wide receiver, Kalif Raymond had a cup of coffee with the Jets back in 2017. Raymond was with the Jets organization for a total of 23 days after the returner demonstrated poor hands on special teams.

In the Divisional Round of the playoffs against the Baltimore Ravens, Raymond caught one pass for a 45-yard touchdown during the Titans’ 28–12 win.

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