The Kansas City Chiefs made a familiar move earlier this week, bringing back veteran defensive tackle Mike Pennel. With a history of winning the Super Bowl the last two times he was added mid-season, his return sparks an intriguing question: Is this the final piece for another championship run, or just the first step in reinforcing their defensive front?
Why Would the Chiefs Target Dre’Mont Jones?
As much as Pennel can help Chris Jones and George Karlaftis hold down the fort, the Chiefs might want to add more firepower to their front seven. With that in mind, PFSN’s Jacob Infante predicted that they could pursue Dre’Mont Jones.
The Chiefs have rallied behind Steve Spagnuolo’s defense to win their last two Super Bowls. Now that their offense is finally clicking again, strengthening that side of the ball makes perfect sense.
“If last year’s Super Bowl showed anything, it’s that you can’t have too much pass rush. Having been on the receiving end of it last season, the Kansas City Chiefs could look to get active at the 2025 NFL trade deadline and make an addition to their defensive line,” Infante wrote.
Infante then made a strong case for Kansas City to go after Jones. With the defensive tackle slated to hit free agency in 2026, and the 1-7 Tennessee Titans still years away from contention, it seems unlikely that their partnership will continue long-term.
“Dre’Mont Jones is slated to hit free agency in 2026, and it wouldn’t make much sense for him to return to Tennessee in the current state of their organization. Trading Jones to a contender like the Chiefs would boost Kansas City’s pass rush leading up to the playoffs and give the Titans something in return, rather than just letting him walk,” Infante explained.
While not a superstar, Jones has proven to be a serviceable pass rusher. In 98 career games, including 60 starts, he has logged 232 total tackles, 127 solo tackles, 68 quarterback hits, 44 tackles for loss, 33.5 sacks, seven passes defensed, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception, and one safety. This season, he has recorded 22 tackles, five quarterback hits, four tackles for loss, and 3.0 sacks, according to Football Reference.
The Titans have already begun their sell-off by parting ways with veteran cornerback Roger McCreary. And while they have shut down trade rumors surrounding star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, it would be wise for Tennessee to accumulate as much draft capital as possible before the deadline.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs only have four players with more than one sack this season. Although they are giving up just 16.4 points per game, the second-fewest in the league, you can never have too many disruptive players if you are serious about making another Super Bowl run.