The free agent pool is getting a bit deeper, as the Jets are not picking up the option on defensive tackle Mike Pennel's contract, a source told Field Yates of ESPN.
Yates notes that “today was the deadline to decide on an option bonus worth $1M, while Pennel is now headed to the open market as a free agent.” The option would've added an additional two years to Pennel's contract had it been picked up.
Pennel signed the three-year deal back in March of last year, but it turned out to be essentially a one-year pact.
He played his college ball at Colorado State-Pueblo, and entered the league with the Packers as an undrafted free agent back in 2014. He spent three seasons in Green Bay before being cut and scooped up by the Jets.
Pennel was suspended for PED's twice during the 2016 season, but has proven to be a serviceable run-stuffer when he's on the field.
He appeared in all 16 games for the Jets this past season, earning seven starts. He racked up 27 tackles, and landed two quarterback hits. He earned a really strong 87.1 grade from Pro Football Focus for the 2018 season, so he shouldn't have too much trouble finding a new home.
The Jets' defense is likely to undergo a complete transformation under new coach Adam Gase and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, and this was just the first of what should be many moves to come.
The Jets' defensive line has been a big weakness the past few years, and they clearly feel like they can upgrade on Pennel.
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