The Buffalo Bills could be moving on from a two-time Super Bowl champion ahead of the season.
Buffalo signed Mike Danna to a one-year, almost fully guaranteed veteran minimum deal this offseason. Danna was expected to be a key rotational pass rusher for the Bills this season.
However, with Michael Hoecht looking healthier and other pass rushers performing well in camp, Bills insider Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic named Danna a potential cut candidate for the Bills.
“The team brought Danna in on a one-year, almost fully guaranteed veteran minimum deal in May, but that was well before they knew what experienced pass rusher Michael Hoecht would look like at training camp after rehabbing a torn Achilles,” Buscaglia wrote.
“Hoecht has passed every test early in camp, not missing a single day and playing on the second unit ahead of Danna every single practice. The Bills have four edge rusher locks for the 53-man roster in Greg Rousseau, Bradley Chubb, rookie T.J. Parker and Hoecht. Third-year player Javon Solomon is viewed as a potential core-four special teams asset as well. Keeping a sixth outside linebacker might be a non-starter, even with Danna’s contract situation.”
Danna won back-to-back Super Bowls with the Chiefs and started all 16 games in 2023 en route to a championship. Yet, his role diminished, and last season, he recorded 25 tackles and 1 sack.
Danna Took Subtle Shot at Chiefs After Signing With Bills
After Danna signed with the Bills, he took a subtle shot at the Chiefs.
Danna claimed he’s now wearing the right colors and right uniforms after signing with the Bills.
“It was a pleasure and a blessing to be a part of that journey and that group of guys,” Danna said of the Chiefs. “I’ll never take any of that stuff for granted. That’s in the past. I’m just glad to be wearing the right uniform, the right colors. So it’s all a pleasure, and I’m excited for it.”
The pass rusher, meanwhile, also believes the Bills fan base is the best in the NFL. That is why he wants to play for them.
“Being a visitor, the first thing I noticed was the Bills Mafia, their crowd, their fan base gets rowdy, gets crazy for all,” Danna added. “That’s one of the coolest things, being in that atmosphere at Highmark. Playing there in a playoff game wasn’t easy. Everybody knows going to Highmark Stadium in the playoffs is a rowdy environment, it’s enemy territory. I’m excited to be on the right side of the ball and to have the team and the fans behind us.”
Danna was selected in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Chiefs.
Hoecht Likely to be Ready
Hoecht tore his Achilles last season, and he’s already back practicing and ready to play.
Bills GM Brandon Beane said they have to hold him back. But they are hopeful he will play in a preseason game.
“When you take that much time off of football, like that itself, injured or not, it takes time to get back on the bike and get going,” Beane said. “I think he’ll be getting his legs, getting his feel, and all that. I think we’ll all see him continuing to get better and hopefully keep him healthy and get some preseason action just to get the rust off there.”
The hope is Hoecht will be ready for Week 1, which would be a major surprise.
2-Time Super Bowl Champion Faces Grim Outlook on Making Bills Roster