In the midst of a couple of days of uncertainty and plenty of hand-wringing for Washington Commanders, finally, some good news.
The Commanders made another splash in free agency on Tuesday, signing 2-time Super Bowl champion inside linebacker Leo Chenal away from the Kansas City Chiefs on a 3-year, $24.75 million free agent contract.
“Sources: Former Chiefs LB Leo Chenal is signing with the Commanders for 3 years $24.75M,” NFL insider Jordan Schultz wrote on his official X account. “Chenal, just 25, won two Super Bowls in Kansas City and was a starter for 44 games. A strong addition.”
Chenal, 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, quickly quote-tweeted the post that announced his signing with a pair of military helmet emojis.
The signing of Chenal might also indicate something equally as important — that there’s a chance the Commanders might not have 13-time NFL All-Pro inside linebacker Bobby Wagner back in 2026.
Wagner has played for the Commanders on a pair 1-year contracts the last 2 years and is a free agent. NFL All-Pro linebacker Frankie Luvu occupies the other inside linebacker spot.
“Washington adds the best available linebacker in free agency, who excelled for the Chiefs,” NFL reporter Evan Sidery wrote on his official X account.
Commanders May Have Gotten Steal on Leo Chenal
Chenal had a relatively modest value on the open market with an estimated 2-year, $11 million contract.
“The 2022 third-round pick doesn’t turn 26 until October,” Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon wrote. “He’s never registered more than 500 snaps in a season but has remained healthy. Thus, the wear-and-tear is likely to be extremely limited for a player who is thick, strong and aggressive. The ceiling is high … he was lost in a deep rotation over the course of his rookie contract, but the bang for Kansas City’s buck has certainly been there.
In 4 seasons with the Chiefs, Chenal played in 3 Super Bowls in his first 3 seasons.
Chenal, a 2022 third-round pick (No. 103 overall), just played out the final season of his 4-year, $5.04 million rookie contract, but the Chiefs were already paying their other 2 inside linebackers, Drue Tranquill and Nick Bolton, big money.
From B/R: “Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal plays a specific role in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense. He’s an early-down run defender who didn’t even reach 50 percent of the defensive snaps before this season. However, the 25-year-old has been terrific in that role and should be viewed as a very good defensive starter. Chenal appeared in all 17 games last season, finishing with 60 tackles, a sack and four tackles for loss. He’s on pace to surpass those numbers this season.”
From Big Ten Star to Super Bowl Champion
Chenal, 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, was an All-American linebacker and the Big Ten Linebacker of the Year at the University of Wisconsin in 2021.
“Chenal brings some versatility to any game plan as a defender who can play off-the-ball, insert into the front or even line up as a stand-up defensive tackle,” ESPN’s Matt Bowen wrote on March 4. “Chenal is good at tracking the ball in the run game from the second level. In four seasons, he has recorded 193 total tackles, seven sacks and 28 pressures.”
Commanders Nab 2-Time Super Bowl Champion on $24.75 Million Free Agent Contract