Report: Mike Danna Is Contracted By Kansas City Chiefs….
Mike Danna, the reigning champions, has returned to Kansas City on a new contract, bringing the previous fifth-round pick back together.
After the Kansas City Chiefs traded cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, the team’s free agency cycle slowed down for a while, but general manager Brett Veach is back at work. This time, for the 2024–25 season and beyond, a well-known figure is coming back to Kansas City.
Defensive end Mike Danna is signing with the Chiefs, per a report from NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo on Friday night. The three-year contract is for a free agent.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Danna has a $24 million deal with $13 million in guaranteed money. According to Nate Taylor of The Athletic, Danna was being pursued by “several teams” in the transfer market.
In 2020, Kansas City selected Danna, then 26 years old, 177th overall and in the fifth round. He has accrued 128 combined tackles with 39 quarterback hits, 17 sacks, four passes defended, and four caused fumbles in his four seasons with the team. Danna had his greatest season to date, participating in 16 regular-season games and setting career highs in tackles (50), sacks (6.5), and snaps played (745). He played roughly 200 snaps against Steve Spagnuolo’s defense and had two quarterback hits during the Chiefs’ postseason run.
Danna’s continuing free agency situation was dissected by Joshua Brisco of Arrowhead Report towards the end of last month. Brisco wrote the following about Danna being available for purchase:
“Danna, a 26-year-old free agent, was ranked No. 103 by Pro Football Focus with a projected three-year contract of $24.75 million, of which $14.75 million was guaranteed, or $8.25 million year on average. Basically, a $15 million, two-year contract that is guaranteed. While Danna isn’t an elite player who can get top dollar, he is still superior to the typical pass-rushers who typically take one year “prove-it deals” before joining a new team. That may place him in an odd middle class for teams in need of defensive end assistance, but It should help the Chiefs’ prospects of keeping Danna on board going forward.”
Kansas City significantly strengthens its defensive line by adding Danna back. It would be a pleasant offseason on that side of the ball if they could find a way to sign him and All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones to long-term contracts. Now that Felix Anudike-Uzomah, a 2023 first-round pick, is not forced to play for long stretches of time against his will, defensive line coach Joe Cullen can relax and the Chiefs have insurance while Charles Omenihu recovers from an ACL tear.
Less than a month into his first stint in free agency, Danna finds himself back in the starting point. Now that the 2024 season is drawing near, both teams may work together to win another championship.