Kansas City Chiefs release Michael Danna

Feb 23, 2026

Released

Official

What changed

Compensation: Released by Kansas City (KC), clearing $8.94M of cap
Outcome: The value of this move will become clearer once the player's role and place on the active roster are established.

Kansas City Chiefs linebackers, this season vs last season — the room this transaction changed.

NEW arrived this offseasonRE-UP re-signedLEFT left after last season- returning players are unmarked

#32Nick Bolton909215/178799909671$19M26.55'11"232

Cole ChristiansenPractice squad30454/170024960$1.2M29.26'1"225

#43Jack Cochrane554516/17325795960$1.4M27.66'3"225

#44Cooper McDonald484517/171224100960$1.0M25.16'3"240

#40Ethan DownsInjured reserve27451/172226900$885K23.96'4"263

#23Drue Tranquill643516/178899938545$5.0M31.16'2"234

#31Jeffrey Bassa463517/178221009034$1.1M24.06'2"230

Cam JonesPractice squad413014/1725—80960—26.96'2"228

Nick Bolton909215/178799909671$19M26.55'11"232

Cole ChristiansenPractice squad30454/170024960$1.2M29.26'1"225

Jack Cochrane554516/17325795960$1.4M27.66'3"225

Cooper McDonald484517/171224100960$1.0M25.16'3"240

Kam ArnoldOn waivers36455/170050940$885K24.66'1"228

Ethan DownsInjured reserve27451/172226900$885K23.96'4"263

Drue Tranquill643516/178899938545$5.0M31.16'2"234

Tyreke SmithPractice squad36353/17——189633$1.0M26.66'3"267

Jeffrey Bassa463517/178221009034$1.1M24.06'2"230

Brandon GeorgeUnknown29303/170050960—25.86'3"240

Leo ChenalUnknown——16/17——————25.96'3"261

NFL official transaction recordOfficial confirmation
Contract terminated vested veteran
Feb 26, 2026
Spotrac NFLSecondary confirmation
Contract terminated vested veteran
Jun 19, 2026