At this point, it is fair to point out that Mike Pennel thinks about the Kansas City Chiefs far more than the organization worries about its former player. The veteran defensive tackle’s release was a surprise, but not the slight the lineman decided to view it as. Leaving no question that there wouldn’t be a reunion, Pennel started out declaring war by posting a Joker rant on his Instagram stories after the release. This was followed by doubling down and signing with one of Kansas City’s rivals.

What was so ironic about signing with the Cincinnati Bengals was the fact that it’s a practice squad deal. Pennel was so offended by the decision not to keep him on the active roster that he swore revenge, only to turn around and accept a deal that reinforces the lack of market for a roster spot. The irony appears to have escaped the veteran, however, with Pennel continuing to post Instagram stories suggesting hard feelings against his former team.

Chiefs Blitz tweeted out the latest message from Pennel, who offered a simple “Stay tuned. The show is far from over.” This was posted on his Instagram stories in the same fashion that started the entire beef with his former organization.

It cannot be viewed as a coincidence that Pennel then signed with the one organization to had beaten Patrick Mahomes in a game that mattered. While some might point out that Tom Brady’s Patriots the quarterback is long retired, and New England is no longer a threat.

Both the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills are closer to actual rivals than the Patriots, despite the fact that neither franchise has beaten the Chiefs in a game that actually mattered. It isn’t a coincidence that Pennel chose the one team that has beaten Kansas City and Mahomes in the playoffs. The Instagram story doubles down on this.

Pennel wants a chance at revenge and is willing to ignore conventional wisdom to get it. The first piece of this was opting to sign a practice squad deal that works against his point in the first place. Doing so with a team whose defense is already facing major questions furthers this. Considering the path the Bengals have to walk with that defense to give Pennel a real shot at revenge, the choice isn’t one of the better signings Pennel has made.

With this in mind, Pennel would be better served to let the grudge go and focus on attempting to make Cincinnati’s roster more than a depth piece. Failing to make such an underwhelming defense would raise some obvious concerns for the ex-Chief.

For Kansas City, this is a non-story that serves as nothing more than a bit of an amusing distraction for fans as we await the regular season. The Chiefs are typically above this petty type of grudge and unquestionably are above it when it comes to a depth player who is proving the organization’s own point. It simply isn’t a concern for a team that fully believes it has found better options.