Sometimes a divorce makes the most sense for both sides, even if the parting is painful. That's certainly true for the Kansas City Chiefs and Mike Danna, but there's an obvious home for the veteran defensive end—that is, if he's up for getting over some bad blood.
The Las Vegas Raiders have been Danna's divisional rival for the last six seasons, so it might be hard to think of the AFC West franchise with any sort of warmth. But as he seeks a new home for the 2026 campaign, it's a new marriage that would offer what both might need going forward.
Danna was released by the Chiefs on Monday in the first of what will be a series of painful departures, intending to bring the Chiefs back into a stronger financial position, even as it means subtracting talent. Further moves are coming, including some contractual restructuring, but Danna's was one of the most obvious.
After six seasons with the Chiefs, Danna was finally dropping in importance and impact even as his cap hit was climbing. Coming into the third year of a three-year, $24 million extension signed before the 2024 campaign, Danna represented a $11M cap hit on the books. While K.C. accepted just over $2M in dead cap space with the roster cut, Danna's release also saves nearly $9M.
The Chiefs needed to part ways with Mike Danna this offseason, but their loss could (and should) be the Raiders' gain.
Now that Danna is released, he's a free agent able to sign with any team immediately (instead of having to wait until the new league year). And while he's not any team's idea of a big-time addition, Danna is precisely the sort of smart depth signing that can (and will) make all the difference as struggling teams strive to establish a new culture. This is why the Raiders should make a call.
The Raiders have a lot of decisions to make up front, starting with the potential trade rumors around Maxx Crosby. It feels ridiculous that Las Vegas would trade its franchise face, but a franchise going nowhere and a frustrated player is a combustible mix. Tyree Wilson hasn't blossomed as hoped and is coming into a contract year. When combined with the scheduled departure of Malcolm Koonce in free agency, defensive end is a real position of need for Vegas.
Danna is not a difference-maker by any stretch of the imagination at this point. The Chiefs need some help on the edges as well, and yet Danna earned less playing time in 2025 than he did since 2022. Ashton Gillotte has laid claim to his starting role, unless K.C. grabs an obvious starter like Rueben Bain Jr. in the draft, which had Danna on the outside looking in at his price. But what he provides is what Vegas needs most.
Two years ago, Danna's teammates praised him as the Chiefs' most underappreciated player, a vital cog whose work gets overlooked by flashier players generating more appreciated stats. But every coach he's ever had has raved about his work ethic, his intelligence, and his ability to respond to coaching with immediate dividends.
Danna has also proven to be a very reliable player up front who provides a decent floor as a sure tackler on the edge. The former fifth-round pick grew into a long-term starting role on a championship team for good reason, and even after leaving the Chiefs, he'll still provide valuable reps for a new team. He's also versatile enough to slide inside on occasion. And speaking of Super Bowls, what could be better for a basement-dwelling defense than importing some postseason experience?
As the Raiders look to potentially rebuild their defensive line (along with the rest of the roster), inviting a strong leader and culture maker like Danna to help form the nucleus of a new front for d-line coach Travis Smith would be an ideal move. Danna needs a new home, and the Raiders should be familiar enough with what he can do on and off the field to appreciate the projected impact.