The Kansas City Chiefs retained another veteran defender who helped them become back-to-back champions. Defensive end Mike Danna and the Chiefs agreed Friday night to a three-year, $24 million contract, including $13 million guaranteed, a league source confirmed to The Athletic.
A four-year veteran, Danna produced a career-high 6 1/2 sacks, 13 quarterback hits, three pass breakups and 50 tackles last season.
The decision to re-sign Danna was the Chiefs’ first major move this month after the team traded cornerback L’Jarius Sneed to the Tennessee Titans for a 2025 third-round pick and a 2024 seventh-round pick swap. The trade allowed the Chiefs to create $19.8 million in salary-cap space.
Similar to last offseason, general manager Brett Veach and coach Andy Reid have focused on maintaining the strength of the Chiefs defense. The team re-signed pass rusher Chris Jones to a five-year, $158.75 million contract, including $60 million guaranteed. The Chiefs then converted $27 million of quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ contract to create $21.6 million of cap space. The team also has re-signed veteran defensive linemen Tershawn Wharton, Derrick Nnadi and Mike Pennel.
By retaining Danna, the Chiefs have two quality starters at defensive end, as he is projected to start opposite George Karlaftis, who had a career-high 10 1/2 sacks and 17 quarterback hits last season. Felix Anudike-Uzomah, a second-year player, is likely be the Chiefs’ third defensive end while Charles Omenhihu, a five-year veteran, recovers from a torn ACL in his right knee.
“Spags is a wizard, man,” Danna said in January of longtime defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. “He’s got tons of blitzes, and he knows how to get after a quarterback.”
Danna, who was a first-time unrestricted free agent, drew interest from several teams. Similar to Jones, though, Danna made re-signing with the Chiefs his top priority.
“Let’s gooooooooooooo!!” Jones wrote of Danna remaining his teammate on his X account Friday night. “Y’all in trouble.”
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(Photo: Denny Medley / USA Today)
