Mike Danna’s deal to return to the Kansas City Chiefs is smart, but unprecedented for General Manager Brett Veach.
Mike Danna was patient in free agency, and the Kansas City Chiefs now have defensive consistency as he collects his paycheck.
Long after the biggest free-agent splashes had passed, the Kansas City Chiefs executed a deal that made sense for everyone involved, and general manager Brett Veach did something he’d never done before as the reigning Super Bowl champions.
On Friday, the Chiefs reportedly agreed to re-sign defensive end Mike Danna for three years and $24 million, with $13 million guaranteed. Danna helps to stabilise a defensive line rotation that was quietly underprepared for the start of the 2024 season. More about that later.
Danna’s agreement is remarkable in that he is the first Veach draft selection to sign a multi-year contract with the Chiefs. (Originally reported by Kristian Gumminger on Twitter/X.) Danna, a 2020 draft pick, was taken in Veach’s third draft as General Manager. How did he become the first Veach selection to sign a multi-year contract?
Veach’s first draft class was highlighted by the selection of defensive lineman Breeland Speaks at No. 45 overall. The only member of that class to return for a second stint with the Chiefs in any form is defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi, who signed his third one-year contract with the team this summer. Mecole Hardman departed the 2019 class for the New York Jets before being re-acquired by the Chiefs via trade. Safety Juan Thornhill signed a long-term contract with the Cleveland Browns. Khalen Saunders moved to the New Orleans Saints. Nick Allegretti returned for a one-year contract before signing a multi-year deal with the Washington Commanders this offseason.
In Danna’s 2020 draft class, the Chiefs re-signed running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire on a one-year deal after declining his fifth-year option. Willie Gay, Jr. is a saint. Lucas Niang has one year remaining on his rookie contract. L’Jarius Sneed is a titan. Thakarius “BoPete” Keyes is out of the league. Danna is the only one who remains.
The Chiefs’ 2021 draft class is expected to include multiple multi-year extension candidates, with linebacker Nick Bolton, centre Creed Humphrey, and guard Trey Smith leading the way, but Danna breaking the trend makes perfect sense when you consider what he’ll bring to the 2024 Chiefs.
Why Mike Danna’s homecoming benefits everyone
Danna had a career year in 2023 by practically every metric, including starts, sacks, tackles, quarterback hits, and snap count. According to Pro Football Reference, he played 74% of KC’s regular season defensive snaps in 2023, trailing just George Karlaftis for second among defensive lineman and seventh overall. He’s not an excellent edge rusher, but he’s a valuable guy who can line up on the edge or kick to the interior, preserving the Chiefs’ defensive line versatility, which defensive line coach Joe Cullen and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo routinely use.
Danna’s recovery also reduces the hurry for Kansas City to get a highly drafted EDGE in the NFL Draft, allowing for more patience with other defensive ends Charles Omenihu and Felix Anudike-Uzomah.
Karlaftis and Danna can start in Week 1, and the Chiefs can build a strong defensive line around Chris Jones from the outset. Omenihu can take his time recovering from a ruptured ACL sustained in the AFC Championship Game, and Anudike-Uzomah, who featured minimally in his rookie season, does not need to make a huge step early in his sophomore season. Anudike-Uzomah is still under pressure to play in his second season, but as a rotational pass-rusher rather than an every-down edge-setter.
Danna’s contract is in line with pre-free agency estimates, and it will greatly exceed his lifetime earnings from his four-year rookie deal, which were little over $5.4 million. Depending on the specific terms of the contract, Danna is projected to earn around $15 million over the first two years, with the Chiefs maintaining the option to remove Danna and gain cap space following the 2025 season.
Several teams chased Danna, but he, “similar to Chris Jones, made re-signing with the Chiefs his top priority,” according to Nate Taylor of The Athletic, despite the fact that this was his first time as a free agent.
For the first time under Veach, the Chiefs committed to a multi-year deal with a draft pick, stabilised one of their most questionable positions, shortened the timeframe for a second-year project and an injured starter, and recovered defensive line versatility. That’s a wise move by the franchise and a solid payday for a success story, allowing Danna to continue to thrive with the team that drafted him.
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