Whereas the NFL OTAs don’t sometimes have a lot roster implications early within the offseason, a number of Kansas Metropolis Chiefs members might already be preventing for his or her jobs. Coming off a pedestrian 3.5-sack season in 2024, defensive finish Mike Danna tops the staff’s record of gamers with probably the most to show over the summer season.
Danna, 27, has spent his total five-year profession with the Chiefs. After ending his collegiate profession at Michigan, Kansas Metropolis took him within the fifth spherical of the 2020 NFL Draft. Since then, Danna spent his first three seasons as a depth piece, however emerged as a beginning edge-rusher during the last two seasons. He has began 35 of the staff’s 41 complete video games since 2023.
Since taking up as a starter, Danna has been as sturdy and dependable as another Chiefs defender. Nevertheless, his availability has not translated into as a lot manufacturing as desired. After managing a promising 6.5 sacks in 2023, Danna regressed in 2024, mustering simply 3.5 sacks and 11 complete pressures on the 12 months.
Danna’s 2024 marketing campaign was reduce brief by 4 video games, however he managed fewer sacks in 2024 than in 2022, earlier than he got here off the bench behind Frank Clark and George Karlaftis. The promise Danna confirmed then satisfied the Chiefs to launch Clark within the ensuing offseason, however two years later, the tables are turned.
Whereas not outright launched, Danna has quite a bit to show within the offseason if he needs to maintain his job. With a poor displaying at OTAs, he would possibly even be vulnerable to falling sufferer to the Chiefs’ 2025 closing roster cuts.
Mike Danna has probably the most to show in Chiefs’ 2025 OTAs
Mike Danna enters the primary offseason section because the Chiefs’ incumbent starter, alongside Karlaftis. He’s a conventional defensive finish, which Steve Spagnuolo tends to want, and was nearly hand-picked by the 65-year-old defensive coordinator. None of that may matter if Danna fails to indicate significant enhancements within the offseason.
Except for Karlaftis, who notched eight sacks, the Chiefs’ total pass-rushing unit struggled to generate strain in 2024. Whereas breakout star Tershawn Wharton impressed with 6.5 sacks from the inside, his manufacturing left when he signed with the Carolina Panthers in free company. In consequence, Kansas Metropolis made a concerted effort to enhance the group within the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Chiefs spent 4 of their seven picks on defensive gamers, starting with Omarr Norman-Lott within the second spherical. They went on to take defensive finish Ashton Gillotte within the third spherical, cornerback Nohl Williams within the fourth and linebacker Jeffrey Bassa within the fifth.
Gillotte was among the many highest-rated edge-rushers in faculty soccer in 2024, in keeping with Professional Soccer Focus. He’ll doubtless take time to regulate to the following degree, however his uncooked expertise can nonetheless doubtlessly threaten Danna’s job safety. Kansas Metropolis can be experimenting with Bassa at defensive finish, doubtless including one other physique to the combination.
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Nevertheless, Danna’s greatest threats are the names returning behind him. Profession journeyman Charles Omenihu got here on sturdy late in 2024, whereas 2023 first-round choose Felix Anudike-Uzomah continues to progressively enhance. If the Chiefs ever get BJ Thompson wholesome and again onto the sector, he’s one other intriguing title within the dialog. If any one among Gillotte, Omenihu or Anudike-Uzomah makes important strides in 2025, it is going to come on the direct expense of Danna.
Chiefs protection coming collectively in 2025 OTAs
The Chiefs have taken a substantial offensive strategy by the early portion of OTAs. Most early stories from the offensive aspect as Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown returned to the sector. Nevertheless, the few defensive updates that surfaced instructed the rookies are integrating themselves properly.
Karlaftis stated that Norman-Lott and Gillotte have proven every part the Chiefs “need to see in rookies,” in keeping with Pete Sweeney of Arrowhead Delight. On all accounts, Gillotte has been the man Kansas Metropolis hoped for and is a reputable menace to Danna’s job.
Whereas Danna reported to OTAs, he has not finished something of observe to warrant particular consideration. For a veteran like him, no noise is often a optimistic signal. Nevertheless, given his place, Danna desperately wants an enormous offseason to show his spot on the Chiefs’ roster.
As a former fifth-round choose, the Chiefs didn’t make investments a lot in Danna. With the depth Kansas Metropolis has behind him, there isn’t a strain for him to carry out. However with two years remaining on his present deal, Danna is vulnerable to falling completely out of the rotation, which might make him a simple reduce within the 2026 offseason. As a returning two-year starter, his state of affairs is an unlucky harsh actuality of the cut-throat nature of NFL gamers continuously having to endure.
Danna will doubtless enter Week 1 because the starter no matter what occurs within the offseason. But, with Omenihu, Gillotte and Anudike-Uzomah nipping at his heels, a weak offseason would reduce his leash even shorter. Spagnuolo just isn’t a coach who tinkers together with his lineup too usually, however Danna is well the participant with the bottom degree of job safety. The Chiefs are already displaying indicators of shifting on with out him, placing him in a tricky place on the 2025 roster.