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Mike Danna
Mike Danna
Mike Danna
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Michael Danna (born December 4, 1997) is an American professional football defensive end for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Central Michigan Chippewas and the Michigan Wolverines.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Danna began playing football at De La Salle Collegiate High School in Warren, Michigan.[1] In 2014, he led the school to a state title. Danna compiled 20 tackles-for-loss and earned All-State special mention from the Associated Press.[2]

College career

[edit]

Danna played three seasons at Central Michigan and earned first-team all-Mid-American Conference honors in 2018.[3] He transferred to Michigan where he was a part-time starter. Danna had 38 tackles (three for a loss) and three sacks during the 2019 season.[4] He had six tackles and a sack against Michigan State, earning Team Defensive Lineman of the Game honors. Danna also had five tackles and a sack against Iowa.[2]

Professional career

[edit]
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span
6 ft 1+1⁄2 in
(1.87 m) 		251 lb
(114 kg) 		32+1⁄2 in
(0.83 m) 		10+1⁄2 in
(0.27 m)
All values from Pro Day[5][6]

Danna was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs with the 177th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL draft.[7]

In Week 2 against the Los Angeles Chargers, Danna recorded his first career sack during the 23–20 win.[8] He was placed on injured reserve on October 10, 2020, with a hamstring injury.[9] He was activated on October 31.[10] He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on January 6, 2021,[11] and activated on January 11.[12]

In 2022, Danna won his first Super Bowl when the Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII.[13]

In 2023, Danna won his second straight Super Bowl when the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII.[14] Danna recorded three tackles in the game.[15]

Danna re-signed with the Chiefs on April 10, 2024 on a three-year, $24 million deal.[16]

NFL career statistics

[edit]
Legend
Won the Super Bowl
Bold Career high

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team Games Tackles Fumbles Interceptions
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck FF FR Yds TD Int Yds Avg Lng TD PD
2020 KC 13 1 25 16 9 2.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
2021 KC 17 6 26 11 15 3.0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 1
2022 KC 13 0 27 9 18 5.0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
2023 KC 16 16 50 32 18 6.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 3
2024 KC 13 12 41 20 21 3.5 2 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 1
Career 72 35 169 88 81 20.5 6 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 5

Postseason

[edit]
Year Team Games Tackles Fumbles Interceptions
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck FF FR Yds TD Int Yds Avg Lng TD PD
2020 KC 3 0 4 1 3 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
2021 KC 3 0 3 3 0 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
2022 KC 3 3 4 2 2 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
2023 KC 3 0 7 3 4 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
2024 KC 1 1 2 0 1 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
Career 14 5 22 11 11 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Mike Danna

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Michael Danna (born December 4, 1997) is an for the of the (). Standing at 6 feet 2 inches and weighing 257 pounds, he has established himself as a key rotational player on the Chiefs' defensive line since entering the league. Danna began his career at , where he played from 2015 to 2018 and earned first-team All-Mid-American Conference honors as a senior after recording 66 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks in 12 starts. He transferred to the for his final season in 2019, contributing 38 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks while starting one game for the Wolverines. Selected by the Chiefs in the fifth round (177th overall) of the , Danna quickly adapted to the professional level, appearing in 13 games as a with 25 tackles and 2.5 sacks. As of November 2025, throughout his six seasons, Danna has played in 80 regular-season games with 42 starts, accumulating 182 combined tackles, 21.5 sacks, one interception, and six forced fumbles. He has also appeared in 16 postseason contests, including starts in all four playoff games during the Chiefs' 2023 run to victory. Danna's contributions have been integral to the Chiefs' success, helping the team secure titles following the 2022 and 2023 seasons ( and LVIII, respectively). In April 2024, he agreed to a three-year extension with Kansas City worth $24 million, solidifying his role on the roster through the 2026 season.

Early years

Early life

Michael Danna was born on December 4, 1997, in , . He grew up in the nearby suburb of , where he lived with his parents, Vaughn and Danna, and older brother, . Danna's early years were shaped by his family environment in the area, though specific details on parental professions are not widely documented. His parents and brother played a supportive role in his development, attending key events in his athletic journey later on. Prior to high school, Danna attended Grosse Pointe St. Paul, where he was a standout and player. Danna's initial exposure to football came upon entering high school at De La Salle Collegiate in Warren, where he first began playing the sport. This marked the start of his athletic pursuits, building on a foundation of local community ties in .

High school career

Mike Danna attended De La Salle Collegiate High School in , where he played as a defensive lineman and offensive guard. During his high school career, Danna established himself as a dominant force on defense, setting school records as a junior with 20 tackles for loss and 10 sacks in the 2013 season. As a senior in 2014, he recorded 52 tackles over nine games despite missing the first five due to a cracked , contributing significantly upon his return with standout performances such as eight tackles, five for loss, two sacks, and three passes batted down in a district final. Over his career, he amassed a school-record 17.5 sacks, showcasing his disruptive presence along the line. Danna played a key leadership role in De La Salle's 2014 Division 2 state championship victory, returning from injury to help fuel a five-game winning streak that culminated in the title win, where he was recognized for leading the defensive effort. His efforts earned him All-State special mention honors from the as a senior, along with selection to the Fab 50 (ranked No. 15), the Free Press Dream Team, Detroit News Dream Team, MLive Dream Team, Detroit News Blue Chip list, and All-Metro East first team. In recruitment, Danna received just one Division I scholarship offer from , which he gratefully accepted after his championship season.

College career

Central Michigan

Mike Danna enrolled at in 2015 as a true but redshirted that season, preserving a year of eligibility without appearing in any games. As a redshirt in 2016, Danna transitioned to the Chippewas' defensive line rotation in the (MAC), appearing in all 13 games with one start while recording 31 total tackles (24 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. His contributions helped anchor a defense that contributed to Central Michigan's 6-7 overall record and a bowl appearance. Danna's role expanded significantly in 2017 as a , where he started three games and played in all 13 contests, tallying 54 tackles (31 solo), 8.5 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks, ranking second on the team in tackles for loss. These efforts supported Central Michigan's 2-10 campaign, showcasing his growth in pass-rushing and run defense. In his junior year of 2018, Danna emerged as a standout, starting all 12 games and leading the Chippewas' defense despite the team's 1-11 record. He amassed career-highs of 66 tackles (37 solo), 15 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries—including two returned for touchdowns—earning him First-Team All-MAC honors, the program's Herb Deromedi Award, and First-Team All-American recognition. His dominance in the MAC rankings—first in tackles for loss, third in sacks, and tied for seventh in forced fumbles—highlighted his disruptive presence as a weak-side . Over his three playing seasons at (2016–2018), Danna accumulated 151 total tackles, 28 tackles for loss, and 15 sacks, establishing himself as a key contributor to the Chippewas' defensive front before exhausting his junior eligibility. Seeking greater exposure ahead of the NFL Draft, Danna entered the in January 2019 and ultimately committed to the as a graduate transfer.
YearClassGamesStartsTackles (Solo)TFLSacksFFFR
2016FR13131 (24)4.51.510
2017SO13354 (31)8.54.001
2018JR121266 (37)15.09.533
Total3816151 (92)28.015.044
Note: Starts sourced from team records; other stats from Sports-Reference.

University of Michigan

In 2019, Mike Danna joined the as a graduate transfer from , where his prior collegiate experience had honed his pass-rushing skills. As a , he appeared in all 13 games for the Wolverines, making one start along the defensive line and contributing to a unit that emphasized edge pressure in the . Danna's statistical output included 38 total tackles (20 solo, 18 assisted), 3.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, and one forced fumble, providing consistent depth and rotational impact. Danna's role expanded during the season, allowing him to showcase versatility beyond pure pass rushing, including run defense responsibilities against conference foes. He earned defensive lineman of the game honors three times, highlighting his reliability in high-stakes matchups. Key performances came against Big Ten opponents, such as recording 6 tackles (3 solo) and 1 sack in a rivalry win over Michigan State on November 16, 5 tackles and 1 sack versus on October 5, and 4 tackles with 1 sack against on October 12. Additionally, he forced a fumble by stripping quarterback Josh Jackson in a November 2 victory, disrupting a key drive. As a graduate student, Danna focused on advanced academic pursuits while balancing his final season of eligibility, leveraging his completed undergraduate degree to integrate quickly into Michigan's program. His contributions helped prepare him for professional opportunities, with scouts noting his steady production and athletic traits as elevating his NFL draft profile from an overlooked transfer to a projected late-round prospect. Pre-draft evaluations praised his quick adaptation to Michigan's scheme, positioning him as a developmental edge rusher with upside for teams seeking depth.

Professional career

Draft and rookie season

The selected Mike Danna in the fifth round (177th overall) of the . Danna, who had transferred from to the for his final college season, was viewed as a versatile fitting Steve Spagnuolo's scheme due to his run-stopping ability and pass-rush potential. Danna signed a four-year rookie contract worth $3,558,660, including a $263,660 and the same amount fully guaranteed. The deal carried an average annual value of $889,665, aligning with standard fifth-round compensation under Andy Reid's roster-building approach. As a , Danna adapted to the amid the , which limited in-person training camp interactions and forced virtual offseason meetings for the Chiefs' rookies, compressing preparation time and hindering on-field chemistry building. He debuted in Week 1 against the Houston Texans, logging 29% of defensive snaps as a rotational end behind veterans like Frank Clark. In Week 2 versus the , Danna recorded his first career sack on , contributing to a 23–20 victory and earning increased rotational snaps for his run defense. Over the season, he appeared in 13 games with one start, tallying 25 tackles (16 solo), 2.5 sacks, four tackles for loss, and six hits while serving primarily as a rotational under Spagnuolo's guidance. Danna's progress was interrupted by a injury sustained in Week 4 against the New England Patriots, leading to his placement on injured reserve on October 10, 2020, where he missed three weeks before returning in Week 8. Upon activation, he resumed his rotational role, adding a sack in Week 12 against the and sharing another in Week 14 versus the , demonstrating resilience in adapting to professional demands despite the pandemic's disruptions to routine practice and evaluation.

Rise to prominence

In 2021, building on his rookie-year foundation as a rotational , Mike Danna saw a notable increase in playing time with the , appearing in all 17 games and logging 534 defensive snaps, which equated to a 48% snap share. During the season, he recorded 26 total tackles (11 solo) and 3.0 sacks, demonstrating improved pass-rushing effectiveness from limited opportunities. Danna's development accelerated in 2022, where he played 13 games and amassed 27 tackles (9 solo), 5.0 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles, while participating in 471 defensive snaps (54% share). His contributions were integral to the Chiefs' defensive efforts during their AFC Championship run, including key pressures in playoff matchups that helped secure a berth in . In that game, a 38-35 victory over the , Danna logged 29 defensive snaps and registered 1 solo tackle, aiding the unit's containment of the Eagles' offense. The 2023 season marked Danna's breakout, as he started all 16 games, achieving career highs with 50 tackles (32 solo), 6.5 sacks, and a 74% snap share across 745 defensive snaps. He solidified his role in the Chiefs' defensive line rotation alongside star Chris Jones, providing consistent edge pressure that complemented the unit's overall scheme. Danna's expanded responsibilities carried into the playoffs, culminating in , where the Chiefs defeated the 25-22 in overtime; he played 51 defensive snaps and contributed 3 total tackles (1 solo) to the winning effort.

Recent seasons

In the 2024 season, Danna appeared in 13 regular-season games for the , starting 12, and recorded 41 total tackles (20 solo), 3.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. He contributed significantly in the postseason, playing all three playoff games with three starts, seven tackles (two solo), one sack, and one forced fumble, helping the Chiefs advance to . In on February 9, 2025, against the in New Orleans, Danna started as a , though the Chiefs fell 40-22, marking their first loss since 1969. In April 2024, Danna signed a three-year contract extension with the Chiefs worth $24 million, including $13 million guaranteed, securing his role on the defensive line through the 2026 season. As of November 18, 2025, in eight with seven starts during the 2025 season, he has tallied 13 total tackles (four solo), one sack, one , reflecting a consistent but moderated workload in the Chiefs' versatile 4-3 base scheme under defensive coordinator , which emphasizes aggressive pass rushing and run support. His overall grade is 62.6, ranking him 70th among 116 edge defenders, with a run defense grade of 58.8 amid the team's emphasis on rotational fronts to maintain freshness against dynamic offenses. Danna has remained injury-free this season, solidifying his status as a starting opposite in City's high-pressure defensive alignments.

Career statistics and achievements

Regular season statistics

Mike Danna's regular season performance in the , spanning from his rookie year in 2020 through the partial 2025 season as of November 18, has shown steady development as a , with key contributions in pass rushing and run defense. His statistics highlight increasing involvement, particularly in tackles and sacks, aligning with his progression from a rotational player to a starter for the . The following table summarizes Danna's year-by-year defensive statistics, including (G) and started (GS), combined tackles (Comb, consisting of solo tackles and assists), sacks, interceptions (Int), forced fumbles (FF), and passes defended (PD). Tackles for loss (TFL) are noted where tracked, representing plays where the tackler significantly disrupts the offense behind the .
YearTeamG (GS)CombSoloAstSacksTFLIntFFPD
2020KC13 (1)251692.54000
2021KC17 (6)2611153.03021
KC13 (0)279185.03020
2023KC16 (16)5032186.57003
2024KC13 (12)4120213.55021
2025*KC8 (7)13491.02101
Total-80 (42)182929021.524166
*2025 statistics are partial through 8 games as of November 18, 2025. These metrics reflect standard defensive tracking: combined tackles aggregate solo stops (unassisted) and assists (shared tackles); sacks count takedowns for a loss of at least 5 yards; interceptions are defensive takeaways from passes; forced fumbles indicate plays causing ball carriers to lose possession; and passes defended include broken-up passes and interceptions. Advanced analytics from (PFF) note Danna's career pressures (hurries, hits, and sacks) totaling 112 through 2024, with his 2023 season leading at 28 pressures, underscoring his pass-rush impact beyond traditional stats.*
  • PFF pressures defined as any disruption on the not resulting in a sack.

Postseason statistics

Mike Danna has participated in 17 NFL postseason games with the from the 2020 through 2024 seasons, accumulating 28 combined tackles, 2.0 sacks, and 1 forced across these high-stakes contests. His playoff contributions have been particularly notable in AFC Championship games, including a sack and forced against the in the 2024 season's conference matchup. Below is a year-by-year summary of his postseason defensive statistics.
YearGames PlayedCombined TacklesSacksInterceptionsForced FumblesFumble Recoveries
2020340.0000
2021331.0000
2022360.0000
2023470.0000
2024481.0010
Career Total17282.0010
Danna has appeared in four Super Bowls, contributing to two Chiefs victories. In (2021), he recorded 1 assisted tackle during the 31-9 loss to the . Against the in (2023), Danna tallied 1 solo tackle in the 38-35 win. He followed with 3 combined tackles (1 solo, 2 assisted) in (2024), a 25-22 overtime triumph over the . In (2025), Danna notched 1 assisted tackle in the 40-22 defeat to the .

Awards and honors

Mike Danna has earned two championships as a member of the , winning following the 2022 season and after the 2023 season. He also participated in after the 2024 season, where the Chiefs faced the but lost 40–22. In his professional career, Danna has reached the career milestone of 21.5 sacks, with notable contributions including multiple multi-sack games against divisional rivals. While he has not received major individual NFL honors such as selections, his consistent performance has been recognized internally by the Chiefs for key defensive plays. At the college level, Danna was named to the first-team All-Mid-American Conference as a defensive lineman during his senior season at in 2018. That year, he also earned the Chippewas' Herb Deromedi Most Valuable Player Award and was selected to the All-American First Team. During his time at the in 2019, he received team honors as Defensive Lineman of the Game for standout performances. Earlier in his career, Danna contributed to Warren De La Salle Collegiate's Division 2 state championship victory in 2014 during his senior year.

References

  1. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DannMi00.htm
  2. https://www.nfl.com/players/michael-danna/
  3. https://cmuchippewas.com/sports/football/roster/mike-danna/1938
  4. https://mgoblue.com/sports/football/roster/michael-danna/20484
  5. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3915487/mike-danna
  6. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39883688/reports-chiefs-de-danna-agree-3-year-24-million-deal
  7. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/bio/_/id/3915487/mike-danna
  8. https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/2025/02/08/after-time-at-de-la-salle-and-cmu-chiefs-danna-very-grateful-for-another-super-bowl-chance/78245584007/
  9. https://cmuchippewas.com/sports/football/roster/mike-danna/669
  10. https://www.freep.com/story/sports/high-school/2014/11/13/mick-mccabe-mike-danna-de-la-salle/19003035/
  11. https://www.chiefs.com/news/five-things-to-know-about-fifth-round-de-mike-danna
  12. https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2019/02/20/michigan-wolverines-transfer-mike-danna-feels-he-has-more-prove/2930998002/
  13. https://www.delasallehs.com/alumni/alumni-news/alumni-news-details/~board/alumni-news/post/danna-is-selected-in-nfl-draft
  14. https://www.detroitcatholic.com/news/de-la-salle-alum-michael-danna-seeking-his-third-super-bowl-ring
  15. https://www.footballdb.com/players/mike-danna-dannami01
  16. https://cmuchippewas.com/sports/football/roster/2015
  17. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/mike-danna-1.html
  18. https://cmuchippewas.com/news/2018/11/28/football-four-earn-first-team-all-mac-honors.aspx
  19. https://getsomemaction.com/news/2018/11/28/football-mac-announces-2018-all-mac-first-second-third-teams-and-postseason-awards.aspx
  20. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/conferences/mac/2018-leaders.html
  21. https://www.hustlebelt.com/2019/1/25/18198087/mike-danna-enters-ncaa-transfer-portal-central-michigan-defensive-end-reports
  22. https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2019/02/19/michigan-football-mike-danna/2917285002/
  23. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/central-michigan/2018-roster.html
  24. https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2019/02/michigan-lands-cmu-graduate-transfer-de-mike-danna.html
  25. https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2020/04/dont-forget-about-michigan-de-mike-danna.html
  26. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/mike-danna-1/gamelog/2019/
  27. https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2019/11/02/michigan-football-maryland-big-plays-jim-harbaugh/4141603002/
  28. https://footballfoundation.org/news/2019/8/27/1-439-with-undergraduate-degrees-playing-football-this-season.aspx
  29. https://www.pff.com/news/draft-mike-danna-is-an-upgrade-at-defensive-end-for-michigan-should-draw-significant-attention-in-the-2020-nfl-draft
  30. https://www.maizenbrew.com/2020/4/15/21222835/mike-danna-chiefs-nfl-draft-profile-2020-michigan-football
  31. https://www.chiefs.com/news/mike-danna-defensive-end-michigan
  32. https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2020/4/28/21239425/dont-worry-mike-danna-will-fit-perfectly-in-spagnuolos-defense
  33. https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/47773/michael-danna
  34. https://www.nfl.com/news/2020-nfl-rookie-report-card-ranking-each-team-s-class-1-to-32
  35. https://www.si.com/nfl/chiefs/gm-report/will-kc-chiefs-defensive-end-mike-danna-make-a-second-year-jump
  36. https://247sports.com/article/mike-danna-makes-terrific-play-for-first-career-sack-kansas-city-chiefs-michigan-football-151753532/
  37. https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/chiefs/2020/10/10/kansas-city-chiefs-rookie-de-mike-danna-placed-on-injured-reserve/79836403007/
  38. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DannMi00/gamelog/2020
  39. https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/mike-danna-super-bowl-57-stats
  40. https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2025/2/9/24362409/3-takeaways-from-the-chiefs-40-22-super-bowl-lix-loss-to-the-eagles
  41. https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/mike-danna/48415
  42. https://www.chiefs.com/team/players-roster/michael-danna/
  43. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DannMi00/gamelog/post/
  44. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202102070tam.htm
  45. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202302120phi.htm
  46. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202402110kan.htm
  47. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202502090phi.htm
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