The Jets are not picking up the option for the final two years of defensive tackle Mike Pennel’s contract, a source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Tuesday was the deadline to decide on an option bonus worth $1MM, but Pennel will instead hit the open market.
Pennel has been a staple of the Jets’ defense in recent years, appearing in every game 0ver the last two seasons. His Jets stint, which included ten starts, yielded an average of 31 tackles per season with zero sacks.
Pennel’s traditional stats d0 not jump off of the page, but the advanced metrics were very high on his work in 2018. Pennel was tied as the 14th best defensive tackle in the NFL last year, according to Pro Football Focus, though his 358 snaps give him the lowest total of anyone in the top 40.
Pennel’s three-year, $12MM deal has been discontinued, but he should find a decent market for his services this offseason as a No. 3 DT.
I think Bruce Arians and Todd Bowles will give him a call to come down to Tampa. They may want Terrance Brooks too.