The Minnesota Vikings face a shrinking free agent EDGE market as the Buffalo Bills sign veteran Mike Danna. The team's options for an outside linebacker are becoming limited.
Key points
Minnesota Vikings may need an extra outside linebacker
The Free Agent EDGE Market Keeps Shrinking for Vikings
Feb 6, 2023; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Mike Danna (51) signs autographs during Super Bowl Opening Night at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
The Minnesota Vikings may or may not need an extra outside linebacker; that depends on the team’s early plan for rookie Jake Golday, who, in theory, could be used as the OLB3. But if interim general manager Rob Brzezinski wants a veteran free agent, well, the market shrank Monday again as the Buffalo Bills grabbed Mike Danna off the wire.
One more veteran pass rusher disappeared. The Vikings’ options are getting thinner.
Minnesota still has veteran OLB alternatives to explore, but Danna is off the board.
Minnesota May Have to Move Quickly for EDGE Help
Danna heads to a contender.
Q&A
Who did the Buffalo Bills sign from the free agent EDGE market?
The Buffalo Bills signed veteran defensive end Mike Danna from the free agent EDGE market.
What impact does Mike Danna's signing have on the Vikings?
Mike Danna's signing further limits the Minnesota Vikings' options for acquiring a veteran outside linebacker.
What are the Vikings' alternatives for outside linebacker after Danna's signing?
The Vikings still have other veteran outside linebacker alternatives to explore despite Danna's departure.
What is the status of rookie Jake Golday for the Vikings' linebacker position?
Rookie Jake Golday's status as a potential OLB3 depends on the Vikings' early plans for him.
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Mike Danna speaks during a Super Bowl LIX press conference in New Orleans.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Mike Danna speaks to reporters on Feb. 5, 2025, at the New Orleans Marriott ahead of Super Bowl LIX. Danna entered the championship week as one of Kansas City’s experienced defensive contributors after carving out a reliable rotational role in Steve Spagnuolo’s aggressive front over multiple playoff runs. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
BUF Signs Danna
Danna has a new NFL home after six seasons in Kansas City. ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg wrote Monday, “The Bills added a familiar former opponent to the roster, signing outside linebacker Mike Danna to a one-year deal Monday, the team announced. Danna, 28, had played the last six seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, who released him Feb. 23 in a move to create salary cap space ahead of the new league year.”
“During his time with the Chiefs, he faced the Bills in five regular-season games and four postseason matchups. In the AFC Championship Game during the 2024 season, Danna recorded his only sack against Buffalo — a strip sack on Josh Allen that the quarterback recovered.”
Danna joins a Super Bowl contender, while the Vikings’ presumptive search for an extra pass rusher dwindles.
Danna’s Production and Resume
Danna entered the business in 2020 as a 5th-Round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs. He’s stuck around since. In terms of longevity, he’s the Vikings’ version of safety Josh Metellus if Metellus had signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, for example, this offseason.
Danna is basically the perfect guy for situational pass rushing, perhaps the Bills’ version of D.J. Wonnum from Vikings’ squads of yesteryear.
The Bills’ OLBs
Buffalo actually has some fantastic EDGE depth, onboarding three or four reputable outside linebackers this offseason. They’re serious and are in it to win it in 2026:
Parker, a rookie, now has ample time to develop with Danna around as the OLB3.
Mike Danna runs onto the field before a Chiefs game against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Mike Danna runs onto the field before a matchup against the Denver Broncos on Oct. 12, 2023, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Danna continued developing into a dependable edge defender for the Chiefs, contributing steady pressure, rotational depth, and physicality along Kansas City’s defensive front. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports.
SI.com‘s Alex Brasky on the Danna addition: “While Danna and Solomon may not be roster locks by any means, signing a veteran not named Epenesa or Bosa at this stage is a bit telling, as OnSI’s Randy Gurzi wrote previously, along with highlighting the possibility of Solomon’s ultimate demise.”
“However, if that theory proves incorrect and Bosa and/or Epenesa are welcomed back, that would really spell trouble for Solomon. This is by no means an earth-shattering move, but there are reasons to look more closely at the Bills welcoming a player with Danna’s experience level, which includes Super Bowl experience.”
Brasky added, “We’ll see how it all shakes out, but this can’t be great news for Solomon. One thing that could salvage Solomon’s spot on the roster is Michael Hecht’s ongoing rehab from a season-ending Achilles injury.”
“If Hoecht cannot return in time for Week 1, that would open an additional roster spot for either Danna or the team’s homegrown pass rusher to hold down at least until Hoecht can return from injury.”
Who’s Left for Vikings?
Upset that Minnesota didn’t score Danna this week or Dante Fowler Jr. last week? Have no fear; the list of available outside linebackers remains impressive. Minnesota could somewhat easily sign one of these men as early as now:
Mike Danna celebrates after the Chiefs defeated the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Mike Danna celebrates after a road victory on Sep. 22, 2024, against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Danna remained part of Kansas City’s deep defensive line rotation, helping the Chiefs maintain one of the NFL’s more disruptive pass-rushing units during the 2024 campaign. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images.
Floyd might make the most sense. He won a Super Bowl with Kevin O’Connell on the 2021 Los Angeles Rams squad. Van Noy, too, has ties to Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores from their days together with the New England Patriots.
