5. Mike Danna could reunite with Ryan Poles on the Chicago Bears
We saw Ryan Poles sign Byron Pringle in his first off-season. Pringle did not hit, but he was a UDFA that Poles helped sign and watched grow into an NFL player. That tugged at his emotional strings and made him give Pringle a chance. The same could happen with Mike Danna, but it could pay off more.
Danna was a fifth-round pick in 2020, back when Ryan Poles was the director of player personnel. So, this is another later-round pick who Poles saw go from a low-end chance of making it to being a free agent who is projected to sign for three years and $25M per PFF. Danna earned that deal. He went from 5.5 sacks in the first two years with the team to 11.5 sacks in the past two. Danna also stepped up in the playoffs for the Super Bowl champions last season.
About $8M for a rotational rusher is not awful, and the Bears need bodies to rush the passer. Danna also is a great scheme fit because he defends the run first. Danna could also slide inside on passing downs and has done that with the Chiefs.
The fit is too perfect, and he is the type of player we know Ryan Poles likes. The money is not crazy, so why wouldn’t the Chicago Bears offer Danna a fair market deal?