$25 million starter from the Chiefs is expected to sign with the Falcons.
The Chiefs’ outstanding defense was a major factor in their back-to-back Super Bowl victories. Making a legitimate run for a three-peat depends on keeping as many of those important players as possible.
Although re-signing Chris Jones to a $158.57 million, five-year contract was the Chiefs’ main objective, there wasn’t much more they could do. But now that cornerback L’Jarius Sneed has been traded to the Titans, they have an additional $19.8 million in cash.
restoring the defensive end After Sneed’s trade, Mike Danna was expected to be the Chiefs’ “first call.” However, he is still a free agent. According to Pro Football Focus, the 26-year-old is expected to sign a three-year, $24.75 million contract in free agency.
Brad Spielberger, a PFF expert, believes Danna will go to the AFC South. The Chiefs’ fifth-round NFL draft selection in 2020 will be signed by the Atlanta Falcons, who he deemed to be the “best fit.” On Thursday, March 28, Spielberger said, “Danna is the definition of a solid, high-floor player who understands his role, controls his gap, and makes plays when they come to him.”
“He does a good job of forcing opposing tackles back into the pocket, even if he’s not the burstiest athlete off the line. We watched him develop better at releasing his hands from blockers to go after the quarterback in 2023 when he was given a bigger role.
In the previous season, Danna racked up 50 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 3 passes defensed. He took part in 15.2% of the team’s special teams plays and 76.4% of the team’s defensive snaps.
The Falcons should sign a seasoned edge rusher like Mike Danna, according to NFL Insider.
ESPN expert Bill Barnwell pushed Atlanta to add a “veteran edge rusher,” though he did not mention Danna by name.
“The Falcons haven’t imported a single defensive player this offseason, despite letting (Calais) Campbell and (Bud) Dupree hit the open market,” Barnwell tweeted on Thursday. “It has made major investments to rebuild the passing game on the offensive end by adding Kirk Cousins and Darnell Mooney, but we haven’t seen any talent added by (head coach Raheem) Morris & Co. to try to recalibrate things on the other side of the ball.”
While adding at least one veteran to the mix would make sense, Atlanta “should have their pick of the defensive players on the board at No. 8.”
Chiefs News: Mike Danna’s door is still open to return to Kansas City.
The Chiefs’ strong cornerback depth is a major factor in their decision to trade Sneed. There is only one starting defensive end available for Kansas City for Week 1.
“Danna is only getting better, and if the Chiefs don’t bring him back soon, it won’t take long for another team to realize they can get a great pass rusher who plays the run game well, too,” AtoZ Sports’ Justin Churchill issued a warning.
The possibility of a comeback is still there, as Mike Dugar of The Athletic noted on March 27: “Danna and the Chiefs have shown interest in continuing their partnership.”
“By keeping Danna, the Chiefs would have two excellent defensive end starters. He would be matched up with George Karlaftis, who finished the previous season with a career-high 10 1/2 sacks and 17 quarterback hits. The Chiefs would use second-year player Felix Anudike-Uzomah as their third defensive end while five-year veteran Charles Omenhihu heals from a ruptured ACL in his right knee.
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