Defensive end Mike Danna released. How much cap space will the Chiefs clear?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Chiefs release Mike Danna, a six-season defensive lineman who became a starter in 2023.
- Team clears about $9 million in salary-cap space by cutting Danna.
- Danna finishes his six-season Chiefs tenure with 87 games and 21.5 sacks.
Mike Danna, a regular on the Chiefs defensive line for six seasons, has been released by the club.
By cutting Danna, the Chiefs will clear about $9 million in cap space.
Danna was a fifth-round pick from Michigan in the 2020 draft. He was an immediate rotation piece at defensive end, playing 38% of the snaps as a rookie.
Those figures steadily increased, and Danna became a starter in 2023. He played on two Super Bowl championship teams, and he started for the Chiefs in their Super Bowl LVIII victory over the San Francisco 49ers.
Danna appeared in 87 regular season games, starting 49. He logged 21 1/2 career sacks with a best of 6 1/2 in 2023.
He recorded the first interception of his career last season against the Washington Commanders.
This story was originally published February 23, 2026 at 3:25 PM with the headline "Defensive end Mike Danna released. How much cap space will the Chiefs clear?."