Daniel Sorensen (born March 5, 1990) is an American professional
football
Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unqualified, football (word), the word ''football'' generally means the form of football t ...
safety
Safety is the state of being protected from harm or other danger. Safety can also refer to the control of recognized hazards in order to achieve an acceptable level of risk.
Meanings
The word 'safety' entered the English language in the 1 ...
. He played
college football
College football is gridiron football that is played by teams of amateur Student athlete, student-athletes at universities and colleges. It was through collegiate competition that gridiron football American football in the United States, firs ...
at
BYU.
College career
Leaving his home state of California Sorensen became a four-year letterwinner at BYU Sorensen played in 51 games, recording 211 tackles (122 solo), 1.0 sack (-9 yards), eight interceptions returned for 81 yards and one touchdown, a school-record 23 passes defensed, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Sorensen was named a team captain and earned first-team Phil Steele All-Independent honors as a senior.
Professional career
On May 11, 2014, the
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) West division.
Established in 1959 ...
signed Sorensen to a two-year,
$930,000
contract
A contract is an agreement that specifies certain legally enforceable rights and obligations pertaining to two or more parties. A contract typically involves consent to transfer of goods, services, money, or promise to transfer any of thos ...
after he went
undrafted
In professional sports, a free agent is a player or manager who is eligible to sign with other clubs or franchises; i.e., not under contract to any specific team. The term is also used in reference to a player who is under a contract at present ...
during the
2014 NFL draft
The 2014 NFL draft was the 79th annual meeting of National Football League (NFL) franchises to select newly eligible football players to the league. The draft, officially the "Player Selection Meeting", was held at Radio City Music Hall in New Y ...
.
After going undrafted, Sorensen received calls and offers from multiple teams, but stated he chose to accept the Chiefs' offer because they showed they really wanted him by having head coach Andy Reid call him personally.
Kansas City Chiefs
2014
Throughout training camp, he competed for a roster spot as a backup safety against
Sanders Commings
Sanders Commings (born March 8, 1990) is an American former professional football cornerback. He played college football at Georgia and was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL draft. He later had a short profess ...
,
Jerron McMillian
Jerron McMillian (born April 2, 1989) is an American former professional football safety. He played college football at Maine. McMillian was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL draft. He was also a member of the ...
, and Malcolm Bronson. He received an opportunity to display his ability after Commings aggravated a foot injury and missed the majority of training camp. He went on to start three preseason games at strong safety after
Eric Berry
James Eric Berry (born December 29, 1988) is an American former professional American football, football player who was a Safety (gridiron football position), safety for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played co ...
sustained an injury to his heel.
On August 28, 2014, Sorensen recorded five combined tackles and a pass deflection during a 34–14 loss at the
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are a professional American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. They ar ...
in their fourth preseason games. He started all four preseason game and recorded nine combined tackles (seven solo) and a pass deflection.
Head coach
Andy Reid
Andrew Walter Reid (born March 19, 1958) is an American professional American football, football coach who is the head coach for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). Reid was previously the head coach of the Philadelphi ...
named Sorensen the backup strong safety, behind Eric Berry, to begin the regular season.
He made his professional regular season debut in the
Kansas City Chiefs' season-opener against the
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC South, South division. They play the ...
and recorded his first career tackle on
Coty Sensabaugh after Sensabaugh recovered a fumble by Titans' kick returner
Leon Washington
Leon Dewitt Washington Sr. (born August 29, 1982) is an American former professional football player who played in the National Football League (NFL) as a running back and return specialist and made 2 Pro Bowls and 2 All-Pro teams during his c ...
during a Titans' kick return in the second quarter of their 16–10 loss. On September 9, 2014, Sorensen was waived by the Kansas City Chiefs and was signed to the practice squad two days later. It was reported his demotion to practice squad was due to two blunders on special teams that resulted in a failed fake punt and an offsides penalty during their 24–10 victory against the
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Jets compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC East, East division. The team p ...
. He was promoted back to the active roster on November 1, 2014. On December 28, 2014, Sorensen recorded a season-high two solo tackles in the Chiefs' 19–7 victory against the
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers were a professional American football team in the National Football League (NFL). The Chargers played in San Diego, California from 1961 until 2016, before relocating back to the Greater Los Angeles area, where the franch ...
. He finished his rookie season with seven combined tackles (six solo) in nine games and zero starts and was a consistent contributor on special teams.
2015
Sorensen entered training camp competing for a roster spot as a backup safety against Sanders Commings,
Kelcie McCray, and
Justin Cox. Defensive coordinator
Bob Sutton named Sorensen the third free safety on the depth chart to start the 2015 regular season, behind starter
Husain Abdullah and
Eric Berry
James Eric Berry (born December 29, 1988) is an American former professional American football, football player who was a Safety (gridiron football position), safety for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played co ...
. He was also named the starting punt protector by special teams coach
Dave Toub.
In Week 10, Sorensen recorded three solo tackles and his first career pass deflection during a 29–13 victory at the
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver. The Broncos compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC West, West division. The team is headquartered in E ...
.
On December 6, 2015, Sorensen made combined tackles and his first career sack on quarterback
Derek Carr
Derek Dallas Carr (born March 28, 1991) is an American former professional football quarterback who played 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Fresno State Bulldogs, receiving first-team All-Mou ...
in the Chiefs' 34–20 victory at the
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders were a professional American football team based in Oakland, California, from its founding in 1960 to 1981, and again from 1995 to 2019 before Oakland Raiders relocation to Las Vegas, relocating to the Las Vegas metropolitan ...
in Week 13. He finished the season with 23 combined tackles (20 solo), two pass deflections, and a sack in 16 games and zero starts.
The
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) West division.
Established in 1959 ...
finished second in the
AFC West
The American Football Conference – Western Division or AFC West is one of the four divisions of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the National Football League (NFL). The division comprises the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, ...
with an 11–5 record. On January 9, 2016, Sorensen appeared in his first career playoff game as the Chiefs routed the
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston. The Texans compete in the National Football League as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC South, South division. The team plays its home games at N ...
30–0 in the AFC Wildcard Game. The following week, he made one tackle in during a 27–20 loss at the
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots are a professional American football team based in the Greater Boston area. The Patriots compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC East, East division. The Pa ...
in the AFC Divisional round.
2016
During OTA's and training camp, Sorensen competed for a role as a backup safety against
Jamell Fleming,
Eric Murray, Shakiel Randolph,
Stevie Brown, and
Akeem Davis. Head coach
Andy Reid
Andrew Walter Reid (born March 19, 1958) is an American professional American football, football coach who is the head coach for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). Reid was previously the head coach of the Philadelphi ...
named him the backup strong safety behind
Eric Berry
James Eric Berry (born December 29, 1988) is an American former professional American football, football player who was a Safety (gridiron football position), safety for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played co ...
to begin the regular season in 2016.
On September 25, 2016, Sorensen recorded two solo tackles, two pass deflections, and made his first career interception off a pass by quarterback
Ryan Fitzpatrick
Ryan Joseph Fitzpatrick (born November 24, 1982) is an American former professional American football, football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 17 seasons. Fitzpatrick started at quarterback for nine teams, the ...
during a 24–3 victory against the
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Jets compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC East, East division. The team p ...
in Week 3. In Week 7, Sorensen made six solo tackles, a pass deflection, a sack, and returned an interception by
Drew Brees
Drew Christopher Brees (; born January 15, 1979) is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 20 seasons. A member of the New Orleans Saints for most of his career, Brees is sec ...
for a 48-yard touchdown in the Chiefs' 27–21 win against the
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans. The Saints compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC South, South division. Since 1975, the team ...
. His score in the first quarter was the first touchdown of his career.
The following week, he collected a season-high seven solo tackles during a 30–14 win at the
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. The Colts compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC South, South division. Since the 2008 India ...
.
On December 4, 2016, Sorensen earned his first career start, as a nickelback, in place of an injured
Phillip Gaines. He recorded five combined tackles and broke up a pass in a 29–28 victory at the
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta. The Falcons compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC South, South division. The Falcons were founded o ...
.
In Week 14, Sorensen collected a season-high eight combined tackles during a 21–13 victory against the
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders were a professional American football team based in Oakland, California, from its founding in 1960 to 1981, and again from 1995 to 2019 before Oakland Raiders relocation to Las Vegas, relocating to the Las Vegas metropolitan ...
.
He finished the season with 63 combined tackles (55 solo), six pass deflections, three interceptions, a sack, and a touchdown in 16 games and one start.
2017
On March 11, 2017, the Kansas City Chiefs signed Sorensen to a four-year, $16 million contract extension that includes a $4 million
signing bonus
A signing bonus or sign-on bonus is a sum of money paid to a new employee (including a professional sports person) by a company as an incentive to join that company. They are often given as a way of making a compensation package more attractive ...
.
He entered training camp slated as a backup safety, but saw minor competition from Eric Murray,
Steven Terrell,
Leon McQuay III,
Marqueston Huff, and Jordan Stern. Defensive coordinator
Bob Sutton named Sorensen the backup strong safety, behind Eric Berry, to start the regular season.
Starting strong safety
Eric Berry
James Eric Berry (born December 29, 1988) is an American former professional American football, football player who was a Safety (gridiron football position), safety for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played co ...
tore his Achilles tendon in the Chiefs' season-opening 42–27 victory at the
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots are a professional American football team based in the Greater Boston area. The Patriots compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC East, East division. The Pa ...
and missed the rest of the season. Due to Berry's injury, Sorensen became the starter at strong safety. On September 17, 2017, Sorensen made his second career start, but first as a safety, in the Chiefs' 27–20 win against the
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia. The Eagles compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC East, East division. The team plays its ...
and recorded six solo tackles.
In Week 11, he recorded six combined tackles, deflected a pass, and intercepted a pass by running back
Shane Vereen in a 12–9 loss at the
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Giants compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC East, East division. The ...
.
Sorensen made the interception in the first quarter after Vereen attempted a pass on a half back option to tight end
Evan Engram
Evan Michael Engram (born September 2, 1994) is an American professional football tight end for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ole Miss Rebels, earning first-team All-American honors ...
. On December 3, 2017, Sorensen collected a season-high 11 combined tackles (six solo) in Kansas City's 38–31 loss at the
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Jets compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC East, East division. The team p ...
in Week 13.
He was inactive for the Chiefs' Week 17 victory at the
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver. The Broncos compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC West, West division. The team is headquartered in E ...
.
Head coach Andy Reid opted to rest him as the Chiefs had already clinched a playoff berth. He finished the season with 89 combined tackles (67 solo), six pass deflections, 1.5 sacks, and an interception in 15 games and 14 starts.
The
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) West division.
Established in 1959 ...
finished the 2017 season atop the
AFC West
The American Football Conference – Western Division or AFC West is one of the four divisions of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the National Football League (NFL). The division comprises the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, ...
with a 10–6 record. On January 6, 2018, Sorenson started a playoff game for the first time in his four-year career and recorded three combined tackles during a 22–21 loss to the
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC South, South division. They play the ...
.
2018
On September 2, 2018, Sorensen was placed on injured reserve after suffering a knee injury in training camp. He was activated off injured reserve on November 6, 2018. In Week 17, in a 35–3 victory over the
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders were a professional American football team based in Oakland, California, from its founding in 1960 to 1981, and again from 1995 to 2019 before Oakland Raiders relocation to Las Vegas, relocating to the Las Vegas metropolitan ...
, he recorded his second career pick-six.
2019
In Week 11 against the
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers are a professional American football team based in the Greater Los Angeles, Greater Los Angeles area. The Chargers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC W ...
on ''
Monday Night Football
''Monday Night Football'' (often abbreviated as ''MNF'') is the branding used for broadcasts of National Football League (NFL) games that air on Monday nights. It originally ran on American Broadcasting Company, ABC from 1970 NFL season, 1970 t ...
'', Sorensen intercepted a pass thrown by
Philip Rivers
Philip Michael Rivers (born December 8, 1981) is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 17 seasons, primarily with the Chargers franchise. He played college football for the ...
in the endzone late in the fourth quarter to seal a 24–17 win.
In the Divisional Round of the playoffs against the
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston. The Texans compete in the National Football League as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC South, South division. The team plays its home games at N ...
, Sorensen recorded a team high nine tackles and stopped Houston Texans safety Justin Reid short of the first down marker, giving the Chiefs the ball back after the Houston Texans attempted a fake punt. Later in the game, Sorensen forced a fumble on Texans kick returner
DeAndre Carter
DeAndre Carter (born April 10, 1993) is an American professional football wide receiver and return specialist for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Sacramento State Hornets before sig ...
, which was recovered by teammate
Darwin Thompson.
In
Super Bowl LIV
Super Bowl LIV was an American football game played to determine the champion of the National Football League (NFL) for the 2019 NFL season, 2019 season. The American Football Conference (AFC) champion 2019 Kansas City Chiefs season, Kansas City ...
, Sorensen had six tackles and held Pro Bowl tight end
George Kittle to only 36 receiving yards in the 31–20 victory over the
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers (also written as the San Francisco Forty-Niners and nicknamed the Niners) are a professional American football team based in the San Francisco Bay Area. The 49ers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member ...
.
2020
In Week 6 against the
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional American football team based in the Buffalo–Niagara Falls metropolitan area. The Bills compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC East, East div ...
, Sorensen intercepted a pass thrown by
Josh Allen
Joshua Patrick Allen (born May 21, 1996) is an American professional American football, football quarterback for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wyoming Cowboys football, Wyoming Cow ...
late in the fourth quarter to help secure a 26–17 Chiefs' win. In Week 7 against the
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver. The Broncos compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC West, West division. The team is headquartered in E ...
, Sorensen intercepted a pass thrown by
Drew Lock
Paul Andrew Lock (born November 10, 1996) is an American professional American football, football quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Missouri Tigers football, Missou ...
and returned it for a 50 yard touchdown during the 43–16 win. In Week 11 against the
Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders are a professional American football team based in the Las Vegas Valley, Las Vegas metropolitan area. The Raiders compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC West ...
on ''Sunday Night Football'', Sorensen intercepted a pass thrown by
Derek Carr
Derek Dallas Carr (born March 28, 1991) is an American former professional football quarterback who played 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Fresno State Bulldogs, receiving first-team All-Mou ...
late in the fourth quarter to secure a 35–31 win for the Chiefs. Overall, Sorensen finished the 2020 season with 91 total tackles, five passes defensed, two forced fumbles, and three interceptions.
2021
Sorensen re-signed with the Chiefs on March 29, 2021. He entered the season as the third safety behind
Tyrann Mathieu and
Juan Thornhill. He played in 17 games with 7 starts, recording 51 tackles, one sack, eight passes defensed, and two interceptions.
New Orleans Saints
Sorensen signed with the
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans. The Saints compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC South, South division. Since 1975, the team ...
on March 25, 2022. He played in all 17 games with two starts, recording 25 tackles, three passes defensed, and two interceptions.
On September 27, 2023, Sorensen signed with the Saints practice squad. He was released on December 5, 2023 after two games being active with the team.
NFL career statistics
Personal life
Sorensen was raised by his parents, Kory and Roxann Sorensen, in
Grand Terrace, California. He served a 2-year mission for
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, informally known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church, is a Nontrinitarianism, nontrinitarian Restorationism, restorationist Christianity, Christian Christian denomination, denomination and the ...
in San Jose, Costa Rica. He has a sister named Emily and four brothers named Trevan, Bryan, Cody, and Brad. His older brother,
Brad Sorensen, played college football at
Southern Utah
Dixie is a nickname for the populated, lower-elevation area of south-central Washington County, the southwest corner of the State of Utah, bordering nearby Arizona to the south, and Nevada to the west. The area lies in the northeastern Mojave ...
.
References
External links
BYU Cougars bio
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sorensen, Daniel
1990 births
Living people
21st-century Mormon missionaries
American football safeties
American Latter Day Saints
BYU Cougars football players
Kansas City Chiefs players
New Orleans Saints players
Sportspeople from Colton, California
Players of American football from San Bernardino County, California
Colton High School (California) alumni