The Kansas City Chiefs look to become the first team to win back-to-back-to-back Super Bowls in NFL history. The Chiefs’ defense last season deserved a ton of credit for winning their second consecutive Super Bowl. It will be interesting to see how their defense fares in 2024 since two starters, including their linebacker, departed in free agency.
The Kansas City Chiefs linebacker departed in free agency
Willie Gay Jr. signed a one-year contract with the New Orleans Saints. Gay spent his first four seasons with the Chiefs, starting 47 games during the regular season and nine playoff games.
The Chiefs will miss him, but they shouldn’t worry about their linebacker tandem with their 3rd-round pick taking on a bigger role next season.
The Kansas City Chiefs’ 3rd-round pick should have a bigger role in 2024
With the departure of Willie Gay Jr., Leo Chenal will likely take on a larger role in 2024. The 3rd round pick from 2022 has had a solid start to his NFL career despite playing less than 50% of defensive snaps in his first two seasons.
Chenal didn’t play much in his rookie season, representing 23% of defensive snaps in 17 games and eight starts. He recorded 35 tackles, three TFLs, and one sack. He also had six tackles, one TFL, and one sack (on Jalen Hurts in the Super Bowl) in three playoff games.
Chenal’s role expanded in his second season, increasing his snap counts from 23% to 41% in 17 games and ten starts. He recorded 65 tackles, eight TFLs, and three sacks. He also had 15 tackles, one TFL, and one forced fumble (on Christian McCaffrey in the Super Bowl) in four playoff games.
Their linebacker is confident in Chenal taking the next step.
Nick Bolton has confidence in Leo Chenal
“We’ve all seen Leo’s physicality in just sample sizes up to this point,” said Bolton, “so I’m definitely excited for him to take the next step. Especially in the back half of the season — when I wasn’t playing as much — he played a heck of a game against the Philadelphia Eagles [and] he came out and played versus the Los Angeles Chargers when a lot of guys were down. He stepped up big. I’m excited for him.”
