Mike Danna: Everything you need to know

The Bills signed Danna on Monday. Danna was released by the Chiefs in late February to clear cap space as the team prepared for the 2026 offseason. The linebacker was with the organization for six years, appearing in 87 regular-season games and starting in 49. The 2026 Bills defense will be switching to a 3-4 front under new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, and the acquisition of Danna will add further depth to the team's outside linebacker group.

The Chiefs released Danna on Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. The move clears $8.94 million in cap space for Kansas City, as Danna had one year remaining on a three-year, $24 million deal. Danna was a fifth-round pick by the Chiefs in the 2020 NFL Draft and appeared in 87 regular-season games through six seasons, making 49 starts. Across those contests, Danna racked up 194 tackles (96 solo), including 21.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and six pass breakups, along with one interception. He won a pair of Super Bowls with the team but will now be on the lookout for a new landing spot.

Danna ended the 2025 season with 25 tackles (eight solo), including 1.0 sacks, and added one interception over 15 games. Danna ended up playing in two more games than in 2024, yet ended with 2.5 fewer sacks and 16 fewer tackles. This is likely because Danna was playing more snaps in 2024, as the 2025 Chiefs defense saw more rotational play from rookie Ashton Gillotte. If the starting edge rusher cannot increase his impact in 2026, he may lose the starting role to Gillotte and be forced to take a more secondary role in the Chiefs' defense.