On Monday evening, the Chicago Bears made a couple of roster moves on the defensive side of the ball. The team signed nose tackle Mike Pennel. In a corresponding move, the Bears released outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu.
Mike Pennel
Mike Pennel, the 31-year-old, began his career with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2014. He spent three years with the Chicago Bears’ divisional rivals.
In 2017, the New York Jets claimed Pennel off of waivers. He played in New York for two years which included getting a new three-year contract in 2018.
However, in February of 2019, the Jets declined the option on his contract, making Pennel a free agent. Just a month later, he signed a two-year contract with the New England Patriots.
Unfortunately, the Patriots released Pennel during the preseason. The behemoth nose tackle then joined the Kansas City Chiefs in October of 2019.
Pennel spent the next two seasons in Kansas City including a Super Bowl win.
This is not Mike Pennel’s first stint with the Chicago Bears. On June 18th, 2021, Pennel signed a one-year deal with the team under Ryan Pace’s regime. However, during the preseason, an injury landed him on the injured reserve.
As a result, the team released him the following week. Consequently, Pennel joined the Atlanta Falcons two weeks later and spent the entire 2021 season there.
Nevertheless, in his eight seasons in the NFL, Pennel logged 101 total games. He started 16 of those games, recording 176 total tackles, two sacks, eight tackles for loss, and 13 quarterback hits.
At worst, Mike Pennel adds depth to the interior defensive line.
Jeremiah Attaochu
In a corresponding move, the Chicago Bears parted ways with OLB Jeremiah Attaochu. This move also clears up $2.45M in cap space.
Jeremiah Attaochu signed with the Bears last March on a two-year deal. He only played in five games before suffering a season-ending torn pectoral injury.
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