Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Mike Danna is making an oft-prognosticated return to the team that drafted him in 2020. The former Michigan Wolverine inked a three-year, $24 million deal that includes $13 million in guaranteed money, according to Ian Rapoport.
The Chiefs have prioritized many of their own free agents on the defensive line this spring, returning Chris Jones, Mike Pennel, Tershawn Wharton, Derrick Nnadi, and now Danna. However, Danna's contract is distinctly unique from any other.
Perhaps the most surprising part of Danna's new contract is the fact that he becomes the first draft pick of general manager Brett Veach's tenure to sign a multi-year extension with the Chiefs.
It seems impossible that it's taken this long, and it's a player that no one would have predicted upon his selection in 2020, but it's true. Veach was promoted to general manager in Kansas City before the 2018 draft, but it wasn't until today that a Veach selection had earned a multi-year deal with the team. The Chiefs have proven to be very conscientious about multi-year contracts, but Danna's combination of versatility and dependability put him in rare company.
Danna joins Patrick Mahomes (2017), Chris Jones (2016), Eric Fisher (2013), and Travis Kelce (2013) as the only draft picks in the Andy Reid regime to sign a multi-year contract with the Chiefs.
The 6'2", 257 lb. Danna out-performed his 2020 draft slot by racking up 17 career sacks, 128 tackles, and 17 tackles for loss over the course of his four-year rookie contract. The two-time Super Bowl champion fortifies Joe Cullen's defensive line, which will be missing fellow defensive end Charles Omenihu for at least the first several weeks of the 2024 season. Danna will likely start across from George Karlaftis in the Chiefs' defensive end rotation.