The price of a dynasty is often paid in painful goodbyes, a lesson the Kansas City Chiefs are relearning this offseason. After restructuring star quarterback Patrick Mahomes‘s contract last week, the Chiefs continued their work on their salary cap by releasing a familiar face, and this time it’s a veteran defensive end.

“The #Chiefs officially terminated the contract of DE Mike Danna,” reporter Nick Jacobs shared on X. “The release saves KC $9M in cap space.”

This move might sting a little for fans. He played for six years with the Kansas City Chiefs and was an integral part of the team’s defensive line. Danna was overlooked as a prospect, but the Chiefs liked his well-rounded game. They took a risk by drafting him, but that was well-rewarded after he became a favorite of Steve Spagnuolo and his staff. The steady increase in the player’s snap count throughout his tenure served as a clear indicator of his growth. He moved up the depth chart and carved out a larger role in the defensive front.

He also helped the team win two Super Bowl championships. In the 2025 season, he started 14 games for the franchise and recorded one interception, one sack, 25 combined tackles, and four QB hits.

Danna was drafted in the fifth round (177th overall) in the 2020 NFL Draft. During his stint with the Chiefs, in six seasons, he tallied 194 tackles and 21.5 sacks. He also recorded one interception, six forced fumbles, and six pass deflections throughout his career. In the last three seasons, he played in 44 games, showing consistency on the defensive line. However, the Chiefs will now look towards a future without him.

Danna’s departure will give the Chiefs about $9 million in salary cap space for the 2026 season. The veteran defensive end was going to cost the team a little over $11 million in cap space. That would have been too expensive, considering the franchise isn’t leaning on him as much. Plus, his current situation is also influenced by the reality that the Chiefs already have significant financial resources tied up along the defensive line with Chris Jones and George Karlaftis.

The player originally signed a three-year deal worth $24 million with Kansas City on April 10, 2024. However, the team officially released him before the contract could end. They announced on social media:

“Two-time Super Bowl champ. Thanks for everything.”

He had been an important part of Kansas City’s pass-rush, but with limited cap space, the Chiefs are making strategic moves to remain competitive for another title run.

Chiefs Free Up Major Cap Space After Restructuring Patrick Mahomes’ Contract

The Kansas City Chiefs are getting very creative in addressing their salary cap woes, and as usual, it all begins with Patrick Mahomes. As Tom Pelissero reported, the Chiefs have converted $44.05 million of Patrick Mahomes’ 2026 base salary and a $10.4 million roster bonus into a fully guaranteed roster bonus. This alone freed up approximately $43.56 million on the cap.

This is a common cap-saving maneuver where the team converts salary into a signing bonus and prorates the cap hit over the life of the contract. This restructure is the latest adjustment to the record-breaking 10-year, $450 million contract extension Mahomes signed back in 2020.

The Chiefs aren’t the only ones who have taken such an approach. During the 2025 offseason, the Cleveland Browns restructured Deshaun Watson’s deal, converting $44.7 million of Watson’s salary into a signing bonus and clearing up roughly $36 million in cap space.

As for Mahomes, his 2026 cap hit was a staggering $78.214 million. However, that number is now down to a much more manageable $34.65 million. However, this move raises future cap hits by roughly $11 million per year, including pushing his 2027 cap hit to about $85.25 million.

The Chiefs were roughly $57–58 million over the cap. And even after restructuring Mahomes’ contract, they are not done yet. Kansas City must be under the NFL salary cap when the new league year begins on March 11. And there are still some big decisions looming. Defensive tackle Chris Jones has a cap hit of nearly $45 million and could be next in line for a restructure.

Taylor has one year left on his four-year, $80 million deal, and releasing him could create roughly $20 million in cap space. Other veterans mentioned as possible releases, per ESPN, include linebacker Drue Tranquill and tight end Noah Gray.

For now, restructuring Mahomes’ contract and releasing Danna were the major steps. More moves are likely coming as Kansas City heads into the new league year.