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Veteran defensive end Mike Danna is among the Kansas City Chiefs' top cut candidates in 2026.

The Kansas City Chiefs already lost Charles Omenihu to the Washington Commanders in free agency this offseason, and Mike Danna just took a meeting with one of Kansas City’s fiercest rivals.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported the news via social media on Thursday, May 7.

“Free agent DE Mike Danna recently visited the Buffalo Bills, per sources,” Fowler posted to X. “Danna spent six seasons with the Chiefs, registering 21.5 sacks and 194 tackles.”

Mike Danna Strong Contender to Fill Bills’ Need for Pass-Rush Depth

GettyDefensive end Mike Danna, formerly of the Kansas City Chiefs.

A fifth-round pick out of Michigan in 2020, Danna has been in Kansas City his entire NFL career. He inked a three-year, $24 million extension in April 2024.

The Chiefs released Danna in February to open up $9 million in salary cap space. That decision, however, doesn’t preclude Kansas City from bringing Danna back on a new contract. Spotrac projects his market value at just under $10 million over a new two-year deal.

Meanwhile, defensive ends AJ Epenesa and Joey Bosa both entered free agency this offseason, potentially subtracting a combined 25 quarterback hits, 11 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, six pass breakups and five forced fumbles from a Bills defense that suffered through a down year in 2025 as it was.

Buffalo brought in Bradley Chubb on a $43.5 million deal over three years this offseason but needs more help off the edge, even after drafting TJ Parker out of Clemson with the No. 35 overall pick in Round 2 of last month’s draft.

Based on his meeting with the team, Danna appears among the favorites to fill that role on Buffalo’s roster.

Chiefs Remain Candidates to Add Pass-Rusher in Free Agency After Drafting R Mason Thomas in 2nd Round

GettyPass-rusher R Mason Thomas, formerly of the Oklahoma Sooners.

The Chiefs added an edge-rusher of their own in the second round of the draft: R Mason Thomas out of Oklahoma.

“As a second-team All-American, Thomas collected nine sacks in just 10 games last season, beating linemen with quickness and strength,” Nate Taylor of ESPN wrote. “Kansas City is optimistic Thomas’ relentless motor to get to the quarterback will be a staple throughout his pro career.”

Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce, who decided to come back in 2026 on a one-year deal, said recently he is excited to see what Thomas brings to the defense and expects an immediate impact from him as a rookie.

“The guy is a freak of nature in terms of athleticism and explosiveness,” Kelce said. “I can’t wait to see how this guy gets after the quarterback. It’s been kind of something that the Chiefs have been looking at to get better at, and that’s getting after the QB and really putting quarterbacks under duress.”

“I think this is going to be a game-changer at the edge position,” Kelce added.

Despite the addition of Thomas, Kansas City remains a candidate to add more veteran talent to the pass-rush group. George Karlaftis is one starting defensive end, while former first-rounder Felix Anudike-Uzomah also remains on the roster.

Something of a bust to this point with just three sacks across his first two seasons combined, Anudike-Uzomah missed all of 2025 due to a hamstring injury.