Leo Chenal spent the last four seasons in Kansas City as the Chiefs’ defensive x-factor. Depending on whatever Steve Spagnuolo needed in a given moment—a situational pass rusher, run-stuffer, QB spy, and more—Chenal’s versatility was an indispensable asset that helped the young linebacker grab two championship rings before his rookie deal expired.
For all that Chenal achieved with the Chiefs, however, one thing eluded him: a true full-time role. A few months into his new life in Washington, he finds himself more at the center of the defensive game plan for the first time.
Chenal joined NFL Network's The Insiders ahead of Commanders training camp, his first outside of St. Joseph, and while the conversation mostly centered on his new team, there was plenty for Chiefs Kingdom to chew on, starting with why he called signing with Washington "a no-brainer” once he hit free agency.
"It really involves the linebackers, it involves guys playing to their skill set," Chenal said of new Commanders defensive coordinator Daronte Jones' scheme. "It's really cool being able to walk through different things with coaches and having feedback, feedback to the coaches, them talking to us. They really wanna just have us take advantage of what we're really good at."
It's hard not to read between the lines a bit there. Chenal never topped 500 defensive snaps in a season while stuck behind Nick Bolton and Drue Tranquill on the depth chart. Last year, Chenal had 445 snaps while Bolton eclipsed 1,000 and Tranquill was third on the defense with 884. But there’s a new vision for Chenal in the nation’s capital, which is why the Commanders handed him a three-year deal worth up to nearly $25 million. It’s a unit based on the Brian Flores blueprint that emphasizes versatility across the board and should allow Chenal to become a true pillar for Dan Quinn’s team.
The import of Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles in the first round of this year’s draft elevates the ceiling of an entire unit that also retains former All-Pro linebacker Frankie Luvu. The rebuilt second level of the defense is one of the most exciting developments of Washington’s off-season plan. But of course, linebackers can only take a team so far. It’s on the quarterback. That’s why Chenal also had good news for Commanders fans when talking about the return of Jayden Daniels following an injury-plagued season.
"When you deal with guys like Mahomes, with Jaden Daniels, and those types of players who could just make plays on the run, in the pocket, whatever it is, what I've heard, he's got great processing skills," Chenal said. "And so far, I've seen it, it's really amazing, and what he's been able to accomplish."
As Chenal embarks on his new chapter, the Chiefs are hoping last year’s redshirt year taught Jeffrey Bassa a lot after being selected in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The athletic linebacker entered the league with the “versatile” label, so he’ll be the first man given the chance to step into Chenal’s shoes, but it’s also possible that Spagnuolo asks some other players to fill in those gaps. That’s what training camp is for on both sides. For Chenal, it’s shouldering a greater level of responsibility; for K.C., it’s learning how to cope with the loss.
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