Mike Danna's New Contract With the KC Chiefs Is a True Win-Win Situation
Kansas City has one of its top defensive ends under contract for multiple seasons, and the specifics make the deal look even better.
The Kansas City Chiefs' defense was perhaps the NFL's best last season, and a vast majority of those players are returning for 2024-25. As Steve Spagnuolo's group looks to help complete its three-peat mission, defensive end Mike Danna is among those who have re-signed.
On the surface, it's a three-year deal for Danna worth $24 million. With that said, a full breakdown of the contract was released on Friday. In light of the update, looking through things with a fine-toothed comb reveals a potentially tremendous value proposition for both team and player.
How do the numbers stack up, and what's so good about the contract for Danna and the Chiefs? Let's discuss it all with Joshua Brisco of Arrowhead Report on SI.com.
Jordan Foote: I'm going to lead off here from strictly a personnel standpoint. As I noted on X shortly after news of the Danna signing broke, moves like this have a ripple effect on how Kansas City constructs its roster both now and later. The perceived pressure for the Chiefs to keep adding at defensive end is now alleviated, as well as any pressure for Charles Omenihu to rush back from a torn ACL.
Coaching decisions are also impacted. Spagnuolo and defensive line coach Joe Cullen have more flexibility now. 2023 first-round pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah can be brought along as quickly or slowly as the team wants during his sophomore campaign. Finally, end-of-depth-chart contributors like Malik Herring and BJ Thompson are possible situational pass rushers rather than expected role players. Everyone is maximized thanks to one move. What do you think about the contract itself?
Joshua Brisco: I don't want to be hyperbolic, but this contract is perfect. Okay, maybe that's a bit much, but it at least makes perfect sense for both sides. Entering his age-27 season, Danna more than doubles his entire career earnings with just his signing bonus on this new deal. (His rookie contract paid him a total of $5.44M, per Spotrac.)
It's effectively a two-year deal worth a total of roughly $15M, with a low ~$4.7M cap hit in 2024, a fine enough ~$8.2M hit in '25, and $2M in prorated signing bonus reaching into 2026. This gives Danna a meaningful payday for a player who can be a capable starter or an excellent rotational/flex piece in a deeper group, providing the Chiefs with stability and versatility on their defensive line.
Foote: It really does seem like good value. According to OverTheCap, the Chiefs can cut Danna (pre-June 1) before the 2026 season and save $9M against the salary cap with just under $2.2M in dead money. Danna is on the hook for nothing in guaranteed salary that year. If general manager Brett Veach opts to keep him, he'd account for less than 4% of the overall team cap. It's truly a win-win scenario for both sides as the offseason rolls on.
