Patriots sign DT Mike Pennel to 2-year deal

As one run-stopping defensive tackle left, the Patriots were quick to add another on Thursday.

According to a source, the Patriots are signing Mike Pennel to a two-year contract. The 27-year-old is a 6-foot-4, 332-pound run-stuffing defensive tackle. He spent the last two seasons with the New York Jets. Last season, he started seven of 16 games, making 27 tackles.

With Malcom Brown

As one run-stopping defensive tackle left, the Patriots were quick to add another on Thursday.

According to a source, the Patriots are signing Mike Pennel to a two-year contract. The 27-year-old is a 6-foot-4, 332-pound run-stuffing defensive tackle. He spent the last two seasons with the New York Jets. Last season, he started seven of 16 games, making 27 tackles.

With Malcom Brown signing a three-year deal with the New Orleans Saints, the Patriots had an immediate need to fill at defensive tackle. Danny Shelton is also an unrestricted free agent, but a source told the Providence Journal that the Patriots are still interested in bringing back the veteran. Signing Pennel on Thursday, however, fills a need.

Pennel entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent. He played for the Green Bay Packers from 2014-2016. He joined the Jets in 2017 and made a career-high 35 tackles. Now, he’ll join Lawrence Guy and Adam Butler on the Patriots defensive tackle depth chart.

On Thursday, the Pats also hosted veteran Allen Bailey.