Chicago Bears release Jeremiah Attaochus, sign Mike Pennel

The Chicago Bears have made some changes to their team before their obligatory minicamp starts on Tuesday. The Bears have let go of defensive end Jeremiah Attaochu and signed nose tackle Mike Pennel, the team said Monday night. Check out the best bookmakers for betting on the NFL!

Attaochu wasn’t best suited for the Bears’ new 4-3 defense under Matt Eberflus, so his release didn’t come as much of a wonder. That’s not even taking into account that Chicago saved money on the salary cap as a result.

Check out the top sportsbooks for betting on the NFL

4.6/5

FanDuel Review

New Users – Get $250 in Bonus Bets when you wager $5 for 5 days

Bet now

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C., KY, WY) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). First online real money wager only. Min $5 wager required for 5 consecutive days.$5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Call 1-877-770-7867 (LA). ™/© 2026 MLB

4.5/5

BetMGM Review

Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win

Bet now

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, Massachusetts, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

4.5/5

DraftKings Review

New DraftKings Customers: Spend $5+ Get $150 in Bonuses

Bet now

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/NH/PR/WY). Void in CAN. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $150 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets. Stake removed from payout. Reward issued as $50 in Bonus Bets every 7 days via click-to-claim for 14 days. Bonus Bets and click-to-claims expire 7 days (168hrs) after issuance. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 10/11/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.

“For sure, I’m definitely excited about this scheme,” Attaochu said to the journalists last Wednesday about the conclusion of OTAs. “I get to do one job and that’s get off the ball, get in a track stance and use my athleticism.”

Last offseason, Attaochu signed a two-year deal with Chicago. He only played in five games and made two tackles before having a muscle injury in his chest during the game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 5. This ended his season.

Pennel has experience playing in both the 4-3 and 3-4 formations. The Bears need more depth at nose tackle since their starting nose tackle, Angelo Blackson, has been a 3-4 player his whole career, and their backup, Khyiris Tonga, is only in his second season.

By letting Attaochu go, Chicago was able to add $2.45 million to its salary cap. According to OTC, the Bears now have $24.66 million in cap space, which is the third most in the league.

“Being very versatile most of my career, standing up, dropping, I think it takes the thinking out it for a guy with superior athleticism,” Attaochu added.

Attachaochu joins Danny Trevatan (linebacker), Eddie Goldman (nose tackle), Tarik Cohen (running back), and a slew of other players that have been let go this summer.

“So a guy that can get off the ball before everybody else, beat the O-lineman out of his stance, use my quickness, use my speed, so I definitely fit in very well.”

Welcoming Pennel for a second time

Pennel, who is 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 330 pounds, was signed last June. And yet, he didn’t make the final roster due to injury. However, he seems to have a better chance of making the team this time because he was a backup for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019 and 2020, when Ryan Poles (current Bears GM) was there.

After the Bears let him go last year, Pennel was signed by the Atlanta Falcons in October but only had a one-year deal. In eight NFL seasons, Pennel has begun 16 games and played in 101 games even though he has never been a full-time starter.

His most starts were seven, and that was with the New York Jets in 2018 when he played end in a 3-4 formation under coach Todd Bowles. He has made 176 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and two sacks.

Amidst the departures of major veterans including Eddie Goldman, Bilal Nichols, and Akiem Hicks from the Bears’ interior defensive line, this summer they have been focused on improving the depth. Alongside Blackson and Tonga, Mario Edwards also benefits from the inclusion of Pennel.

Robert Quinn, Al-Quadin Muhammad, and Trevis Gipson lead Chicago’s edge rushers. There is a good chance that players like Dominique Robinson, Sam Kamara, and Charles Snowden will be able to make the team.