One of the defensive playmakers on the Kansas City Chiefs defense that doesn’t get much attention – if any – is second-year linebacker Leo Chenal, who has quietly become one of the team’s thumpers under defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
The Wisconsin standout had a terrific rookie campaign, playing all 17 games, making eight starts, and tallying 35 tackles, three tackles for a loss, three QB hits, and a sack. Since being drafted in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Chenal earned the trust of Kansas City’s coaching staff by building a reputation for having a solid work ethic and being a contributor in any way possible.
On Thursday, Kansas City’s defensive line coach Joe Cullen mentioned Chenal’s nickname he earned from the hard work he’s put in since being drafted.
“We call him ‘the beast’ for a reason,” Cullen revealed. “No, coach Spags has done a tremendous job, getting opportunities for guys and certain packages when they show that, hey, they love football, and they’re going to do it as opposed to doing, and Leo is doing a great job,” he explained.
Through three games, Chenal’s role on defense has gotten more extensive as he is a part of many different defensive formations and lineups.
“He’s playing in the middle. It’s in the Buffalo package, playing the edge and our base package. And he’s playing a little end in certain situations. He’s doing a great job, doing a great job in the run game. He studies the game. And he’s powerful and doing a great job getting after the quarterback as well.”
So far this season, Chenal has recorded 14 tackles and is a part of a defense that ranks seventh in the league. He’ll have an opportunity to collect even more when the Chiefs play the Jets on Sunday Night Football.
