The Michigan Panthers released defensive end Kenny Willekes on Tuesday. Willekes is signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Kenny Willekes is six foot three and weighs 264 pounds. The 28-year-old from Rockford, Michigan, re-signed with the Michigan Panthers on August 23, 2024. In 2025, he made 31 tackles (18 solos, 13 assists), six tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one pass breakup in nine games.
The Minnesota Vikings drafted Willekes in the seventh round (225th pick) of the 2020 NFL Draft. He played six games in his rookie season with 18 tackles (11 solo, 7 assists), two tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, seven quarterback hits, and one pass breakup.
He spent the majority of his time on Minnesota’s practice squad. The Vikings released him on May 23, 2023. The Michigan Panthers signed Willekes on December 8, 2023. In 2024, Willekes made 21 tackles (12 solo, 9 assists), 5 tackles for loss, four sacks, and one fumble recovery in 9 games.
Collegiately, Willekes played four seasons at Michigan State (2016-19) with 229 tackles (104 solo, 125 assists), 51 tackles for loss, 26 sacks, four pass breakups, four forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries in 40 games for the Spartans.
He was a two-time First Team All-Big 10 (2018-19), Third Team All-Big 10 (2017), winner of the Burlsworth Trophy (2019), and was named the Smith–Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year (2018).
