The Kansas City Chiefs released defensive end Mike Danny yesterday as they continue to make moves to get under the salary cap, according to a report from ESPN as well as an article by Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk.
This move was widely expected, and it creates an extra $9 million in cap space, which was the number Danna was scheduled to receive this season in the third and final year of the deal he signed back in 2024. It also leaves a charge of just over $2 million in dead money for the Chiefs.
The parting was amicable, and Danna, who is 28, delivered reasonable value during his time in Kansas City. He started 14 games for the Chiefs last year and had a sack and an interception, and his career numbers include 221 tackles, 23.5 sacks, and seven forced fumbles. He was drafted in 2020 in the fifth round, and Danna leaves Kansas City with two Super Bowl rings.
The Chiefs are looking for more production from the edge, as Kansas City struggled to generate pressure when defensive tackle Chris Jones was double-teamed, which occurred during the majority of the Chiefs defensive snaps. It’s unclear whether the team will turn to free agency or the draft to get at least one player who can help Jones and the pass rush, but first the Chiefs need to get more cap space to make further significant moves.
The next domino to fall in this sequence could be Chris Jones. He underperformed last season, and the Chiefs will almost certainly ask him to restructure. Whether Jones will do it or not is an open question at this point, and the league year is scheduled to start in two weeks, so the clock is ticking on that potential move.
The Chiefs have other questions to answer on the defensive side of the ball. Run-stopping linebacker Leo Chenal is also hitting free agency, as are cornerback Jaylen Watson and Bryan Cook. Slot corner Trent McDuffie has been mentioned as an extension or trade candidate, but there’s probably not going to be enough money to pay everyone, so the Chiefs are going to lose some good players.
The offense is in flux as well, but that’s mostly about the injury status of quarterback Patrick Mahomes. He’s currently rehabbing from the ACL tear he suffered in 2025, although Mahomes has stated he intends to play in Week 1 when the season starts in September.