Chiefs part ways with two-time Super Bowl champion pass rusher Michael Danna ahead of free agency
CBS Sports
by
Bryan DeArdo
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The Kansas City Chiefs have parted ways with two-time Super Bowl champion pass rusher Michael Danna as they aim to free up cap space ahead of the NFL's free agency period. The move saves the team $8.94 million, leaving them with $6.5 million over the salary cap. Danna, 28, spent his entire career with Kansas City after being drafted in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Over six seasons, he recorded 21.5 sacks, 194 tackles (25 for loss), six forced fumbles, and one interception. His best performances came during the Chiefs' back-to-back championship runs in 2022-23, including a career-high 6.5 sacks in 2023.
However, Danna's productivity dropped significantly this past season, with just one sack and 25 tackles across 15 games. Despite his inconsistent performance in recent years, he remains a valuable asset to teams looking for pass rush help. With free agency approaching, Danna is expected to attract interest from several NFL franchises in need of defensive reinforcements, including the Cincinnati Bengals, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Detroit Lions.
The Chiefs' decision to release Danna reflects their strategic approach to managing their salary cap while building a competitive roster for the upcoming season. By freeing up nearly $9 million in cap space, Kansas City positions itself to potentially pursue other high-impact players during free agency or the draft. Meanwhile, Danna's future opportunities will likely depend on his ability to land with a
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 2/23/2026