The Kansas City Chiefs are approaching a pivotal offseason filled with difficult decisions, and one of the most pressing involves the future of edge rusher Mike Danna.

After an underwhelming 2025 campaign, Danna’s contract has come under increased scrutiny as Kansas City evaluates how to reshape a roster that failed to meet championship expectations.

Danna started 14 games for the Chiefs this past season and logged nearly 400 defensive snaps, a workload that typically signals trust from the coaching staff.

However, despite consistent playing time, his on-field production failed to match the responsibilities of a starting edge defender in a modern NFL defense.

Over the course of the season, Danna recorded just one sack and nine quarterback pressures, numbers that fall well short of league averages for starting edge rushers.

Perhaps most concerning was his extended lack of impact, as Danna went seven consecutive games without recording a single quarterback pressure.

In today’s NFL, where pressure rate and disruption are essential metrics for defensive success, such stretches are difficult to justify.

The Chiefs’ defensive struggles were not limited to one player, but the lack of consistent edge pressure became a recurring issue throughout the season.

Quarterbacks frequently operated from clean pockets against Kansas City, neutralizing the team’s coverage schemes and exposing weaknesses on the back end.

Because of that context, analysts at Over the Cap have identified Danna as a potential offseason cut candidate, citing both performance and financial considerations.

Danna is entering the latter stages of a three-year, $24 million contract he signed in 2024 to remain with Kansas City.

At the time, the deal was viewed as a reasonable investment in a rotational defender who had shown flashes of reliability.

However, expectations shifted once Danna was elevated into a more prominent role, one he ultimately struggled to fulfill.

By releasing Danna this offseason, the Chiefs would save approximately $9 million in cap space, a significant figure for a team facing multiple roster needs.

Cap flexibility is expected to be a priority for Kansas City as it attempts to retool following a disappointing season.

For a franchise accustomed to deep playoff runs, the 2025 campaign served as a stark reminder of how quickly windows can narrow.

The Chiefs’ pass rush regression was one of the primary factors contributing to their underwhelming performance.

Without consistent edge pressure, defensive coordinator adjustments became reactive rather than proactive, placing added strain on linebackers and defensive backs.

Danna’s inability to generate pressure forced Kansas City to rely heavily on blitz packages, exposing vulnerabilities against disciplined offenses.

Those schematic compromises often backfired, especially against elite quarterbacks capable of exploiting single coverage.

In that sense, Danna’s struggles extended beyond individual statistics and influenced the defense’s overall effectiveness.

From a roster construction standpoint, retaining a $9 million cap hit for a low-impact edge rusher becomes increasingly difficult to justify.

Kansas City must now decide whether loyalty and continuity outweigh the need for tangible production.

In this case, the calculus appears straightforward, particularly given the Chiefs’ broader offseason objectives.

The team is widely expected to pursue upgrades across multiple positions, including pass rusher, offensive line depth, and secondary reinforcement.

Every dollar of cap space matters, especially for a contender attempting to rebound quickly.

Releasing Danna would provide immediate financial relief and open opportunities to pursue a more impactful edge presence.

That money could be redirected toward a proven veteran pass rusher or rolled into future contract extensions for core players.

It could also allow Kansas City to be more aggressive in free agency, an area they have approached cautiously in recent years.

The Chiefs’ front office has historically favored internal development and targeted spending, but this offseason may demand a more assertive approach.

With a playoff return as the clear objective for 2026, incremental improvements may no longer be sufficient.

Danna’s contract represents one of the cleaner exit points on the roster, offering savings without sacrificing foundational talent.

From a football perspective, his release would not significantly disrupt continuity, as younger and more explosive options could fill his snaps.

Kansas City’s defensive identity has long been built on speed, versatility, and pressure, traits that were noticeably absent in 2025.

Restoring that identity will require difficult decisions, and moving on from underperforming veterans is often part of that process.

While Danna has been a respected presence in the locker room, the NFL remains a results-driven league.

Production, not familiarity, ultimately determines roster longevity, particularly for non-star players.

The Chiefs’ lack of a pass rush became a defining weakness last season, one that opposing teams exploited repeatedly.

Addressing that issue will likely require multiple moves, including draft investments and targeted free-agent signings.

However, none of those moves are possible without sufficient financial flexibility.

Cutting Danna creates an immediate pathway to that flexibility while signaling a renewed emphasis on accountability.

It also aligns with the organization’s long-standing philosophy of moving on from declining assets before they become sunk costs.

Kansas City has historically excelled at making tough roster decisions at the right time.

Doing so again could help accelerate a defensive rebound and restore balance to the roster.

The Chiefs’ offseason will be defined by how effectively they identify and correct the shortcomings exposed in 2025.

Among those shortcomings, pass rush inefficiency stands near the top of the list.

In that context, releasing Mike Danna appears less like a risk and more like an inevitability.

The savings generated could be the difference between marginal improvement and meaningful roster transformation.

For a franchise with championship aspirations, standing pat is not an option.

Kansas City needs to overhaul key areas of the roster, starting with players who failed to meet expectations.

Danna’s lack of impact, combined with his sizable cap hit, makes him one of the clearest candidates for change.

If the Chiefs hope to return to playoff contention in 2026, decisive action will be required early in the offseason.

Moving on from Mike Danna should be one of those first steps.

It represents a pragmatic acknowledgment of reality and a commitment to restoring the standard Kansas City expects.

In a league defined by constant adaptation, the Chiefs must once again evolve.

Releasing Danna may not grab headlines, but it could quietly set the tone for a critical offseason reset.