Mike Pennel

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Mike Pennel
Pennel with the Green Bay Packers in 2015
Profile
PositionNose tackle
Personal information
Born (1991-05-09) May 9, 1991
Topeka, Kansas, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight330 lb (150 kg)
Career information
High schoolGrandview
(Aurora, Colorado)
CollegeScottsdale CC (2010–2011)
Arizona State (2012)
CSU Pueblo (2013)
NFL draft2014: undrafted
Career history
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Awards and highlights
Career NFL statistics as of 2025
Total tackles257
Sacks5
Forced fumbles3
Fumble recoveries1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Michael Maurice Pennel Jr. (born May 9, 1991) is an American professional football nose tackle. He played college football for the Scottsdale Fighting Artichokes, the Arizona State Sun Devils and the CSU Pueblo ThunderWolves. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2014, and has also played for the New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, and Cincinnati Bengals.

College career

Pennel played college football at Scottsdale Community College, Arizona State University and Colorado State University Pueblo. He was suspended indefinitely by Arizona State in 2012 and transferred to Colorado State University Pueblo.[1][2]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
6 ft 4+1⁄4 in
(1.94 m)		332 lb
(151 kg)		33+3⁄8 in
(0.85 m)		9+7⁄8 in
(0.25 m)		5.23 s1.82 s3.03 s4.84 s7.94 s28.5 in
(0.72 m)		8 ft 8 in
(2.64 m)		23 reps
All values are from NFL Combine/Pro Day[3][4]

Green Bay Packers

After going unselected in the 2014 NFL draft, Pennel signed with the Green Bay Packers on May 12, 2014.[5] Pennel joined Jayrone Elliott as undrafted players to make the Packers' roster. During his rookie season in 2014, Pennel made 13 game appearances with 8 tackles.

In 2015, Pennel appeared in all 16 games with 5 starts, recording 24 tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble.[6]

On February 19, 2016, Pennel was suspended for the first four games of the 2016 season due to violating the league's substance abuse policy.[7] Pennel was then suspended for the final four games of the season for again violating the league's substance abuse policy.[8] In the 2016 season, Pennel finished with seven tackles and a pass defended.[9]

On January 9, 2017, Pennel was released by the Packers.[10]

New York Jets

On February 6, 2017, Pennel was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets.[11] He re-signed with the Jets on March 16.[12] He played in all 16 games in 2017, recording a career-high 35 tackles.

On March 16, 2018, Pennel signed a three-year contract with the Jets.[13]

On February 19, 2019, the Jets declined the option on Pennel's contract, making him a free agent at the start of the new league year.[14]

New England Patriots

On March 14, 2019, Pennel signed a two-year contract with the New England Patriots.[15] On August 26, Pennel was released by the Patriots.[16]

Kansas City Chiefs (first stint)

On October 19, 2019, the Kansas City Chiefs signed Pennel.[17]

On January 19, 2020, Pennel helped the Chiefs defeat the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship Game.[18] In Super Bowl LIV, Pennel recorded one tackle in the Chiefs' 31–20 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.[19]

On April 6, 2020, Pennel was re-signed to a one-year contract.[20] On August 25, he was suspended for the first two games of the 2020 season.[21] On September 23, he was reinstated from suspension and activated to the roster.[22]

Chicago Bears (first stint)

On June 18, 2021, Pennel signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears.[23] On August 24, he was placed on injured reserve and released from the Bears on August 31.[24]

Atlanta Falcons

On September 15, 2021, Pennel was signed to the practice squad of the Atlanta Falcons.[25] On October 5, Pennel was promoted to the Falcons' active roster after cornerback Isaiah Oliver suffered a knee injury in Week 4 against the Washington Football Team.[26]

Chicago Bears (second stint)

On June 13, 2022, Pennel signed with the Bears.[27] He was released on September 9 from the 53-man roster, and re-signed to the practice squad the following day.[28][29] Dieter Eiselen was promoted to the active roster in his place. On September 12, in a flurry of moves, Pennel was promoted to the active roster.[30] In Week 6 against the Patriots, he was ejected for delivering a blind-sided block that concussed center David Andrews.[31] Pennel appeared in all 17 games for the Bears, where he recorded 26 total tackles and one forced fumble.

Kansas City Chiefs (second stint)

On October 24, 2023, Pennel was signed to the Chiefs' practice squad.[32] Pennel helped the Chiefs reach Super Bowl LVIII, where they defeated the 49ers 25–22 which gave Pennel his second Super Bowl ring.[33] Pennel had six tackles in the game and was instrumental in limiting the effectiveness of the 49ers' running game in the second half.[34]

On March 13, 2024, Pennel re-signed with the Chiefs.[35]

On March 24, 2025, Pennel re-signed with the Chiefs on a one-year contract.[36] On August 26, he was released as part of final roster cuts.[37]

Cincinnati Bengals

On September 1, 2025, Pennel was signed to the Cincinnati Bengals' practice squad.[38] He was elevated to the active roster for Week 1, and signed to the active roster on September 9.[39] On October 28, Pennel requested and was granted his release by the Bengals.[40]

Kansas City Chiefs (third stint)

On October 29, 2025, Pennel was signed to the Kansas City Chiefs' active roster.[41]

In April 2026, Pennel was named a person of interest in the disappearance of Carli Franchesca Guzmán Roche, a 22-year-old woman missing since 2021, after her body was found on property in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, formerly owned by Pennel. Pennel's attorney denied any involvement between Pennel and Guzmán.[42] Later investigations revealed Pennel and Guzmán did know each other, with Pennel visiting Guzmán while he visited the Dominican Republic.

Guzmán was reported missing by her family on September 11, 2021, and some days later, the police and her family went to Pennel's property and smelled a foul odor but did not investigate the source, Pennel's backyard. Pennel sold the property in 2025, and Guzmán's body was found when the new owners of the property were doing excavation work in January 2026. Her body was identified using DNA from her son. The case is being treated as a homicide.[43]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Won the Super Bowl
Bold Career high

Regular season

Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckSftyPDIntYdsAvgLngTDFFFR
2014GB 1308710.000000.00000
2015GB 165251691.000000.00010
2016GB 807520.001000.00000
2017NYJ 1633520150.000000.00000
2018NYJ 1672716110.001000.00000
2019KC 802413111.000000.00000
2020KC 1412913160.000000.00000
2021ATL 100219120.000000.00000
2022CHI 1722616100.002000.00011
2023KC 304220.000000.00000
2024KC 1772510153.000000.00010
Career138252311271045.0040000031

Postseason

Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckSftyPDIntYdsAvgLngTDFFFR
2014GB 201100.000000.00000
2015GB 202200.000000.00000
2019KC 327250.001000.00000
2020KC 301010.000000.00000
2023KC 4312750.000000.00000
2024KC 101010.000000.00000
Career1552410140.001000.00000

References

  1. Haller, Doug (October 3, 2012). "ASU's Mike Pennel suspended indefinitely". azcentral.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2012.
  2. "Former Pack Football Player Mike Pennel Set to Play in Super Bowl LVIII With Kansas City Chiefs". Colorado State University Pueblo. January 29, 2024.
  3. "Mike Pennel Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  4. "Mike Pennel – Colorado State-Pueblo, DT : 2014 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
  5. "Packers announce roster moves". Packers.com. May 12, 2014. Archived from the original on August 19, 2016. Retrieved August 21, 2016.
  6. "Mike Pennel 2015 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  7. Ortega, Mark (February 19, 2016). "Packers' Mike Pennel suspended four games". NFL.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  8. Demovsky, Rob (December 6, 2016). "Mike Pennel suspended 4 games, his 2nd suspension of 2016". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
  9. "Mike Pennel 2016 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  10. "Packers release DT Mike Pennel". Packers.com. January 9, 2017. Archived from the original on January 10, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
  11. Greenberg, Ethan (February 7, 2017). "Jets Claim DL Mike Pennel". NewYorkJets.com. Archived from the original on February 26, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  12. Alper, Josh (March 16, 2017). "Jets sign Mike Pennel". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com. Archived from the original on March 17, 2018. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  13. Alper, Josh (March 16, 2018). "Jets re-sign Mike Pennel". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  14. Allen, Eric (February 19, 2019). "Jets Decline Options on LB Pierre-Louis, DT Pennel and S Brooks". NewYorkJets.com. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  15. Hart, Andy (March 14, 2019). "Reports: Patriots sign DL Mike Pennel, TE Matt LaCosse and WR Maurice Harris". Patriots.com. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  16. "Patriots Release DL Mike Pennel Jr". Patriots.com. August 26, 2019. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  17. Goldman, Charles (October 19, 2019). "Report: Chiefs to sign DT Mike Pennel, release DT Terrell McClain". ChiefsWire.USAToday.com. USA Today. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
  18. "AFC Championship – Tennessee Titans at Kansas City Chiefs – January 19th, 2020". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  19. "Super Bowl LIV – San Francisco 49ers vs. Kansas City Chiefs – February 2nd, 2020". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  20. Crabtree, Curtis (March 25, 2020). "Mike Pennel re-signing with Chiefs on one-year deal". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  21. Teicher, Adam (August 25, 2020). "Chiefs DL Mike Pennel suspended for first two games". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  22. "Chiefs' Mike Pennel: Back with team". CBSSports.com. September 23, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  23. Mayer, Larry (June 18, 2021). "Roster Moves: Bears sign three free agents". Chicago Bears. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  24. Mayer, Larry (August 24, 2021). "Roster Moves: Bears reach mandatory 80-man limit". ChicagoBears.com.
  25. "Falcons make roster moves on practice squad". AtlantaFalcons.com. September 15, 2021. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  26. Bair, Scott (October 5, 2021). "Isaiah Oliver headed to injured reserve with knee injury". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  27. Mayer, Larry (June 13, 2022). "Roster Moves: Bears sign Pennel, release Attaochu". ChicagoBears.com. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  28. Alper, Josh (September 9, 2022). "Bears release Mike Pennel". NBC Sports. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  29. "Roster Moves: Bears flex Pennel, Eiselen to active roster". www.chicagobears.com. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
  30. Wiltfong Jr., Lester A. (September 12, 2022). "Bears make roster moves, Thomas Graham Jr. signs with Cleveland". Windy City Gridiron. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  31. "Matthew Slater calls Mike Pennel's hit on David Andrews an "extremely dirty play"". CBS Boston. October 26, 2022. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  32. Dillon, John (October 24, 2023). "Chiefs sign DL Mike Pennel to practice squad". Chiefs Wire. USA Today. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  33. Maaddi, Rob (February 12, 2024). "Patrick Mahomes rallies the Chiefs to second straight Super Bowl title, 25–22 over the 49ers in overtime". AP News. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  34. "Super Bowl LVIII - San Francisco 49ers vs. Kansas City Chiefs - February 11th, 2024". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  35. Dixon, John (March 13, 2024). "Chiefs re-sign defensive tackle Mike Pennel". Arrowhead Pride. SB Nation. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  36. McMullen, Matt (March 24, 2025). "Chiefs Re-Sign DT Mike Pennel". chiefs.com. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  37. "Chiefs Announce Roster Moves Heading Into 2025 NFL Season". chiefs.com. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  38. "Bengals Sign DT Mike Pennel to Practice Squad". Bengals.com. September 1, 2025. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
  39. "Bengals Make Multiple Roster Moves Ahead of Week 2". Bengals.com. September 9, 2025.
  40. "Mike Pennel: Let go by Cincinnati". CBS Sports. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
  41. Alper, Josh (October 29, 2025). "DL Mike Pennel returns to the Chiefs". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports.
  42. T.J. Quinn; Juan Recio (April 25, 2026). "Sources: Michael Pennel Jr. person of interest in D.R. death". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  43. T.J. Quinn; Juan Recio. "Investigation: Pennel had relationship with woman whose body found; NFL vet says he didn't know her". ESPN.com.