This is a strange one. The Green Bay Packers cut twice-suspended defensive lineman Mike Pennel back in January. Shortly after he came back from his second suspension of the season, in fact.
Pennel was free to sign with anyone once the season concluded if he cleared waivers. We got word that Pennel was claimed by the New York Jets on February 7.
And isn’t New York the perfect place for a guy with a substance abuse problem? That’s why you’re the Jets, isn’t it?
Today, people keep announcing that Pennel has signed with the Jets.
People like Pennel’s agent.
DT Mike Pennel (@TheBeastPennel) will be signing with the NY Jets on a 1 year deal. Was with Packers past 3 season. #Jets #PlayersRep
— Sports Agent (@andysimms) March 16, 2017
We’re not really sure what took so long, but the contractual logistics maybe make some sense. Teams that claim a player on waivers take on that player’s contract, same as the Packers did with Christine Michaels in 2016.
However, Pennel’s Packers’ contract expired after the season.
So apparently, the Jets held Pennel’s rights, but didn’t have him under contract. Or maybe he was actually a free agent free to sign anywhere, but just signed with the Jets anyway.
It’s a mystery I don’t particularly care to solve because… good riddance, Mike Pennel!
Pennel had a whopping seven tackles in the eight games he managed to play for the Packers in 2016.
We’re already at our quota of drug offenders, aren’t we?
