After a rough 2024 campaign, Chiefs pass rusher Mike Danna should be given a short leash by DC Steve Spagnuolo.
Danna posted career-best numbers in the 2023 season, accounting for 6.5 sacks, 50 total tackles, and 7 TFL. Prior to that season, Danna was awarded a three-year, $24M contract with the Chiefs. Anticipation for an even better 2024 season from Danna was the hope for a lot of Chiefs fans, especially since starter Charles Omenihu was going to be out for months, rehabbing from an ACL tear.
As expected, Danna saw an increased snap count of over 70% in his first three out of four games of the season. But despite the heightened playing time, Danna didn’t do much in those games, with only eight solo tackles and just half of a sack. Even worse for Danna is that he missed Week 3 due to a pectoral injury and weeks 5-7, dealing with the same affliction. From Week 9 to the end of the season in Super Bowl 59, Danna didn’t sniff 70% of snaps and never really came close.
He still played well enough for a passable role player, but his 2023 form seemed like a distant memory and left the Chiefs with a big hole in their pass rush and run defense from the edge.
Danna finished last season with 3.5 sacks and 41 tackles, a far cry from his career-best. Any Chiefs fan who watched the games last year will tell you that Danna just never seemed quite right, and his impact on the field was rarely felt. Whether it was fighting through an injury, unable to find a routine in his new role, or just an off year, the 27-year-old couldn't seem to take that next leap.
Now coming into what is likely his last year as a Chief, as Kansas City can choose to save roughly $9M by cutting him next year, Danna is basically in a prove-it year to not just the Chiefs but other teams in the league that he is worth another big contract. With George Karlaftis being a mainstay at one of the two starting edge positions, it leaves the other starting spot up for grabs. Danna, Omenihu, third-year player Felix Anudike-Uzomah (who did show some promise last year in limited time), or a high-end draft pick are all candidates to fill that hole.
Spags seems to have an affinity for Danna and how hard he plays, but effort and production are two different things. Everybody plays hard for the Chiefs, and if Danna doesn’t get off to a hot start to the season, the Chiefs might have to start fading him out of the rotation.