Mike Danna's Deal to Return to the KC Chiefs is Smart, but Unprecedented for GM Brett Veach

Mike Danna was patient in free agency, and now the Kansas City Chiefs have stability at defensive end as Danna gets his payday.

Dec 25, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Mike Danna (51) is introduced against the Las Vegas Raiders prior to a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports / Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Long after the biggest splashes of free agency came and went, the Kansas City Chiefs made a move that makes sense for all parties involved, and general manager Brett Veach did something he's never done at the helm of the reigning Super Bowl champions.

On Friday, the Chiefs reportedly agreed to a three-year, $24 million deal with $13 million guaranteed to re-sign defensive end Mike Danna. Danna helps stabilize a defensive line rotation that was quietly under-prepared for the start of the 2024 season. More on that later.

The unprecedented part of Danna's signing almost seems impossible at first glance: Danna is the first Veach draft pick to sign a multi-year deal to stay with the Chiefs. (First noted by Kristian Gumminger on Twitter/X.) Danna, a 2020 draft pick, was selected in Veach's third draft as GM. How is he the first Veach selection to stick around on a multi-year contract?

Veach's first draft class was headlined by the selection of defensive lineman Breeland Speaks at No. 45 overall. The only member of that class to return for a second deal with the Chiefs in any capacity is defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi, who signed his third consecutive one-year deal with the Chiefs this offseason. From the 2019 class, Mecole Hardman left for the New York Jets before the Chiefs re-acquired him via trade. Safety Juan Thornhill got a long-term deal with the Cleveland Browns. Khalen Saunders went to the New Orleans Saints. Nick Allegretti returned on a one-year deal before finding his multi-year deal with the Washington Commanders this offseason.

In Danna's 2020 draft class, the Chiefs brought back running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire on a one-year deal after first declining his fifth-year option. Willie Gay Jr. is a Saint. Lucas Niang has one year left on his rookie deal. L'Jarius Sneed is a Titan. Thakarius "BoPete" Keyes is out of the league. Only Danna remains.

The Chiefs' 2021 draft class projects to have multiple multi-year extension candidates with linebacker Nick Bolton, center Creed Humphrey and guard Trey Smith highlighting the group, but Danna being the player who broke the trend makes perfect sense when you examine what he'll bring to the 2024 Chiefs.

Why Mike Danna's return makes sense for everyone

Danna had a career year in 2023 by almost any metric: starts, sacks, tackles, quarterback hits, and snap count. According to Pro Football Reference, after playing 54% of KC's regular season defensive snaps in 2022, he played 74% in 2023, behind only George Karlaftis for the second-most among defensive linemen and fifth-most on the defense. He's not an elite edge rusher, but he's a useful player who can line up on the edge or kick to the interior, retaining the Chiefs' D-line flexibility that defensive line coach Joe Cullen and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo frequently utilize.

Danna's return also lessens the urgency for KC to add a highly drafted EDGE in the NFL Draft and provides a path for patience regarding fellow defensive ends Charles Omenihu and Felix Anudike-Uzomah.

Karlaftis and Danna can start in Week 1 and, surrounding Chris Jones, the Chiefs can start a solid D-line right out of the gate. Omenihu can take his time as he recovers from his torn ACL suffered in the AFC Championship Game, and Anudike-Uzomah, who played very sparingly in his rookie season, doesn't need to be relied on to take a massive jump early in his sophomore campaign. Anudike-Uzomah still has pressure to play in his second season, but now it can be as a rotational pass-rusher as opposed to an every-down edge-setter.

From Danna's side, his contract is in line with pre-free agency projections, which will significantly surpass his career earnings paid out through his four-year rookie deal, which just exceeded $5.4 million. Depending on the exact structure of the deal, Danna is likely set to make roughly $15 million through the first two years of the contract, with the Chiefs retaining the ability to cut Danna and gain cap space after the 2025 season.

Nate Taylor of The Athletic noted that several teams pursued Danna but he, "similar to Chris Jones, made re-signing with the Chiefs his top priority," despite it being his first time as an unrestricted free agent.

The Chiefs, for the first time under Veach, agreed to a multi-year commitment with a draft pick, solidified one of the most uncertain positions on their roster, slowed the timeline for a second-year project and an injured starter, and regained versatility across the defensive line. That's a smart signing from the team and a nice payday for a success story, allowing Danna to continue to thrive with the team that drafted him.