The Kansas City Chiefs‘ stellar defense is a huge reason the franchise won back-to-back Super Bowls. Retaining as many of those key players is crucial in making a legit run for a three-peat.
Re-signing Chris Jones to a five-year, $158.57 million extension was a top priority, but greatly limited what else the Chiefs could do.
However, after trading cornerback L’Jarius Sneed to the Titans, they have an extra $19.8 million in cash to spend.
Bringing back defensive end Mike Danna was predicted to be the Chiefs’ “first call” following Sneed’s trade.
But he remains a free agent. The 26-year-old is projected to earn a three-year, $24.75 million contract in free agency, per Pro Football Focus.
PFF analyst Brad Spielberger predicts Danna will head to the AFC South. He named the Atlanta Falcons as the “best fit” to sign the Chiefs’ fifth-round pick from the 2020 NFL draft. “Danna is the epitome of a solid, high-floor player who understands his role, controls his gap and makes plays when they come to him,” Spielberger wrote on Thursday, March 28.
“He’s not the burstiest player off the line, but he does well to drive opposing tackles back into the pocket.
In an increased role in 2023, we saw him improve at detaching his hands from blockers to get after the quarterback.”
Danna recorded 6.5 sacks, 50 total tackles, and 3 passes defensed last season. He participated in 76.4% of the team’s defensive snaps and 15.2% on special teams.
