Kansas City Chiefs edge rusher Mike Danna has not recently lived up to the 3-year, $24 million contract he signed in 2024. He had a disappointing 2025 campaign, posting career lows in virtually every major statistical category, including tackles, tackles for loss, pressures, quarterback hits, and sacks. Danna recorded 25 tackles, three TFLs, nine pressures, four hits, one sack, and one interception across 15 games, including 14 starts, representing 42% of defensive snaps.
He is in the final year of his contract and was scheduled to earn a non-guaranteed $8.24 million base salary, a per-game bonus totaling $510,000, a $250,000 workout bonus, and a $11.11 million cap hit in 2026.
Kansas City Chiefs have bad news for 49-game starter
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Sep 15, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Mike Danna (51) arrives prior to a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
As previously discussed by Vincent Pensabene of Gridiron Heroics, the Chiefs have released Mike Danna, freeing $8.94 million in cap space while incurring $2.17 million in dead cap. The two-time Super Bowl winner ends his six-year tenure recording 194 tackles, 25 TFLs, 51 quarterback hits, 21.5 sacks, one interception, and six forced fumbles across 87 regular-season games and 49 starts. The former fifth-round pick also totaled 27 tackles, two TFLs, eight quarterback hits, two sacks, and one forced fumble in 16 playoff games.
Also Read: Kansas City Chiefs Release 2x Super Bowl Champion Ahead of Free Agency
The Kansas City Chiefs fans bid farewell to 49-game starter
ansas City Chiefs fans cheer during Super Bowl LIX Opening Night
Feb 3, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; A Kansas City Chiefs fans cheer during Super Bowl LIX Opening Night at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
Two SB wins, mission accomplished. Best of luck elsewhere Mike Danna.
— AX0X7A (@AX0X7A) February 23, 2026
End of an era. Wishing him the best on his next chapter.
— Oluborode James (@james_oluborode) February 23, 2026
Thanks Champ.
— Arrowheads Abroad (@KCChiefs_UK) February 23, 2026
What a player all good things comes to an end thanks DE Mike you did Chiefs proud
— HC Mlambya (@ngobenihc) February 23, 2026
That one hurts… 💔 Kansas City Chiefs fans know what Mike Danna brought to that defense.
He was such a steady, underrated presence on the line.
Wishing him nothing but success wherever he lands next.
— EMMANÛÉL (@Ejikeisreal10) February 23, 2026
Salute
— The Kingdom Current🎙️🏈 (@KingdomCurrent_) February 23, 2026
to save $9M in cap space…
Dynasty mode: win rings → thank you → salary dump → repeat 😭💰
Football is cold as hell.
— Arya (@ratio1arya) February 23, 2026
thanks for everything Champ 💍 💍
— ManMythLegend (@Win_Where) February 23, 2026
Sad to see him go but this was necessary
— Jessica ♥️ (@jessicabled) February 23, 2026
Announce 74 please. pic.twitter.com/6v7OIpFL5V
— Dom B. (@Chiefs_King_Dom) February 23, 2026
Buddy got paid and dipped thank god he’s out thanks for everything tho
— Julio (@RasheeTouchdown) February 23, 2026
Two rings, endless memories — respect 🫡🏆”
— ZynexX (@zynexx_1) February 23, 2026
Cutting a two-time Super Bowl winner for cap space shows how ruthless the NFL really is.
— HoneyBit.eth (@infinity__max) February 23, 2026
to best of my recollection, he went for a “who’s is that in the 5th round of the draft?” to a decent contributor, earning a second contract, who then declined each year thereafter. Thus, I’d say, good get for a 5th rounder…thanks for your service!
— chiefwoundedknee (@ChiefsnNoles) February 23, 2026