Chiefs Waive Matt Dickerson to Make Room for Mike Pennel’s Return — But Emotional Farewell Message Captures Hearts Across Chiefs Kingdom
The Kansas City Chiefs are making one of their most emotional roster moves of the 2025 NFL season — and it’s one that’s hitting both the locker room and fan base hard.
As Kansas City prepares to finalize the reunion with two-time Super Bowl champion Mike Pennel, the team has reportedly waived veteran defensive lineman Matt Dickerson to make room on the 53-man roster. The move, while business-driven, marks the end of a meaningful chapter for a player who quietly became one of the Chiefs’ most respected locker-room presences.
A Difficult Roster Decision
According to multiple league sources, the Chiefs informed Dickerson on Thursday evening that he would be released pending a successful signing of Pennel. The 29-year-old defensive tackle, who joined the team in 2023, has been part of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s rotational unit for the past two seasons, contributing depth, energy, and reliability to one of the league’s strongest defensive fronts.
“This was one of those tough decisions that every successful team has to make,” a front office source told ESPN. “Matt’s been nothing but professional. This isn’t about him — it’s about roster flexibility.”
For the Chiefs, the move is rooted in a desire to strengthen their interior defense as the team prepares for a critical midseason stretch. Mike Pennel, who played key roles in Kansas City’s Super Bowl LIV and LVIII championships, brings size, experience, and familiarity with the system — particularly against the run.
While Pennel hasn’t played an NFL snap since 2023, his leadership and ability to occupy blockers have remained in demand. Reuniting with him signals Kansas City’s commitment to reinforcing its defensive front as it eyes another postseason push.
Matt Dickerson’s Message: “I’ll Go With Gratitude”
Just hours after news of his release surfaced, Dickerson took to X (formerly Twitter) to post what may be one of the most heartfelt farewells of the season.
“If I have to go, I’ll go with gratitude,” Dickerson wrote. “Kansas City gave me purpose and belief. Every snap here meant something. If this is it — if I have to leave football — I’d rather retire as a Chief than play anywhere else.”
The message spread quickly among teammates, fans, and local media. Within hours, it had been shared thousands of times, with hundreds of replies from fans thanking him for his effort, humility, and professionalism.
“Matt’s one of those glue guys — no drama, no ego, just effort,” one teammate told ESPN. “He made everyone around him better. That’s not something you can teach.”
A Quiet Contributor with a Big Impact
While Dickerson’s numbers may not have drawn headlines — 28 games played, 32 tackles, and 2.5 sacks during his time in Kansas City — his impact extended far beyond the stat sheet.
In a defense headlined by stars such as Chris Jones and Nick Bolton, Dickerson became a stabilizing depth piece — trusted by coaches to handle multiple interior roles and respected by teammates for his work ethic.
“Matt showed up every day ready to work,” defensive line coach Joe Cullen said earlier this season. “He did whatever we asked. Those are the kind of guys that make a team better, even if they don’t always make the highlight reel.”
His film study habits, attention to detail, and willingness to take on physically demanding snaps in rotation earned him a reputation as one of the team’s most dependable interior players — the type of “next man up” who kept Kansas City’s defense consistent through injuries and rotations.
Mike Pennel’s Return: Leadership and Legacy
If there’s one silver lining for Kansas City, it’s the return of Mike Pennel, whose leadership helped define the team’s defensive identity during their Super Bowl runs.
At 34, Pennel’s best years may be behind him, but his understanding of Spagnuolo’s system and locker-room influence could prove invaluable. In 2019 and 2023, Pennel’s late-season play was instrumental in helping the Chiefs’ defense peak just in time for their playoff push — something the organization clearly hopes to replicate in 2025.
“Mike’s one of those guys who commands respect,” a team source said. “He’s seen it all, and he knows exactly what it takes to win here.”
Pennel’s return reunites him with several former teammates, including Jones and linebacker Willie Gay Jr., both of whom publicly expressed excitement over the news on social media Friday morning.
The Human Side of the Business
Despite the professional logic behind the move, Dickerson’s release underscores one of the NFL’s harshest realities — that roster decisions often come at a personal cost.
For Dickerson, who fought for roster spots across multiple teams — including the Titans, Raiders, and Falcons — before landing in Kansas City, the move represents both uncertainty and reflection.
“This is the part fans don’t always see,” one Chiefs player said. “You spend years grinding, earning trust, helping a team win — and then one day, it’s just over. But Matt’s handled it the right way. Total class.”
His attitude hasn’t gone unnoticed by the organization. When asked about Dickerson’s situation, Chiefs president Mark Donovan praised his professionalism and hinted that the team may still be open to keeping him within the organization in some capacity.
“Matt represents everything we value — work ethic, character, and team-first attitude,” Donovan said Friday. “We’re going to evaluate all options. This is a business decision, but it’s also a family, and we take care of our people.”
That statement sparked immediate speculation that the Chiefs could bring Dickerson back on the practice squad or explore a reserve/future contract later in the season if roster circumstances change.
Instantly Claimed by the Vikings
Within hours of his release, the Minnesota Vikings placed a waiver claim on Dickerson, securing him for the remainder of the 2025 season. According to league transaction wire, Minnesota had been seeking rotational depth after injuries to interior linemen Harrison Phillips and Jonathan Bullard.
For Dickerson, the move represents both a fresh start and an opportunity to prove himself once again — this time in a system that values versatile, high-motor defenders.
“Matt’s exactly the type of player we look for — tough, professional, and selfless,” Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said in a brief statement. “We’re excited to bring him in and get to work.”
A Farewell That Resonates
The emotional resonance of Dickerson’s farewell post remains one of the most talked-about stories in Chiefs Kingdom this week. Fans flooded social media with messages of appreciation, sharing clips of Dickerson’s key plays and his community involvement in Kansas City.
From volunteering at youth football clinics to visiting local hospitals, Dickerson built genuine connections during his two years in Missouri — the kind of impact that endures beyond the game itself.
“He played like every snap mattered,” one fan wrote on X. “That’s all you can ask for from a Chief.”
Even as the roster moves forward, Dickerson’s words — “I’d rather retire as a Chief than play anywhere else” — will linger as a reflection of what makes Kansas City’s culture unique: loyalty, pride, and gratitude, even in goodbye.
Looking Ahead
The Chiefs (6–2) now turn their attention to their Week 9 matchup against the Buffalo Bills, a pivotal AFC clash with playoff implications. With Pennel’s signing expected to become official before Sunday’s game, Kansas City will look to tighten up its run defense and solidify its interior rotation heading into the second half of the season.
Meanwhile, Dickerson begins a new chapter in Minnesota — carrying with him the respect of a franchise and fan base that won’t soon forget his impact.
“Football’s a business,” one Chiefs staffer said. “But sometimes, a player comes along who reminds everyone why the game still has heart. Matt was one of those players.”
And in Kansas City, even as the roster evolves, the spirit of Matt Dickerson — quiet, humble, and grateful — remains part of the Chiefs’ story.
