Chiefs to re-sign defensive end who played key role in Super Bowl run

A former fifth-round pick who became a starter after the Chiefs cut Frank Clark, Danna has totaled 11.5 sacks over the past two seasons. The Chiefs are keeping him on a three-year deal, so after the Chiefs gave Chris Jones a monster deal to stay, they will retain another core D-lineman as well.

Included among PFR’s top 50 free agents, Danna certainly took his time before finding a deal. Rather than agree on a “prove it” pact — which is often the case once April hits — the former Michigan and Central Michigan pass rusher received a multi-year commitment. 

It will be interesting to see if the Chiefs are guaranteeing the four-year contributor anything beyond Year One.

Although the Chiefs gave Charles Omenihu a two-year, $16M contract in 2023, they kept Danna in their starting lineup opposite George Karlaftis once Omenihu returned from his suspension due to a domestic violence arrest.  Omenihu played a regular role, but the veteran operated as a rotational cog behind Danna.

The Chiefs have used Danna, 26, as an inside rusher as well. He will stick around with the two-time reigning champions, who also brought back defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi this offseason.

During Clark’s stay, Danna mostly worked as a backup. Between the 2021 and 2022 seasons, however, the former MAC recruit forced four combined fumbles. 

Danna’s 21 QB pressures ranked just outside the top 60 last season, though his 13 QB hits were a career high. The 6-foot-2 pass rusher started all four Chiefs playoff games, logging 58 snaps in Kansas City’s Super Bowl LVIII overtime triumph.

Omenihu suffered a torn ACL during the playoffs, amplifying Danna’s importance, and the suspension he incurred voids future guarantees. That would give the Chiefs an out on that contract, which calls for a $6.74M base salary in 2024. 

The team also used a first-round pick on Felix Anudike-Uzomah, but the local product did not play much as a rookie. With Karlaftis, Danna, Omenihu and Anudike-Uzomah, the Chiefs are nearly set to run it back at D-end in 2024.