There is a new defensive end on the open market.
The Kansas City Chiefs announced on Monday that they have released defensive end and two-time Super Bowl champion Michael Danna.
The move to cut Danna, who was entering the final year of his $24 million contract, opens up $8.9 million in cap space while incurring $2.1 million in dead money.
Danna tallied one sack, 25 tackles, one interception and one pass defensed in 15 games (14 starts) last season. While he could find a starting role elsewhere, the veteran is best suited for a depth role.
With Danna now available, three teams that could have interest are the Detroit Lions, New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys.
With Al-Quadin Muhammad a pending free agent, the Lions don't have a locked-in starter opposite Aidan Hutchinson. Even if Muhammad is re-signed, the Lions need more depth and Danna would be perfect for that role.
In Dallas, the Cowboys need multiple edge rushers to improve their defense. That includes adding both starters and depth pieces. Danna would be a strong complementary addition alongside a big splash.
The Patriots are in a similar boat to the Lions, so they make sense as a potential landing spot for Danna. New England has a solid starting edge rusher in Harold Landry but his 2025 running mate, K'Lavon Chaisson, is a pending free agent.
With Landry's injury issues last season, and with Chaisson being far from certain to replicate his career year, the Pats need to do more than just re-sign their pending free agent.
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