Leo Chenal
Getty
LB Leo Chenal is heading to free agency.
There aren’t many analysts or insiders covering the Chicago Bears who believe the team will keep linebacker Tremaine Edmunds around for the 2026 season.
Edmunds arrived in Chicago in 2023 when he was just 24 years old, already a two-time Pro Bowler. The Bears inked him to a four-year deal worth $72 million, effectively making him one of the highest-paid LBs in the NFL.
For the most part, Edmunds has been solid. He played well in 2025, finishing with 112 total tackles, nine pass breakups, a sack and four interceptions in 13 games. The primary problem is his price tag.
In 2026, Edmunds is scheduled to have a cap hit over $17 million, according to Over the Cap. If the Bears release him, they could save roughly $14 million. They’ll also need a new LB capable of both dropping into coverage and rushing the passer. Enter Kansas City Chiefs standout Leo Chenal.
Some Background on Chenal & His Time With the Chiefs
Chiefs LB Leo Chenal
GettyChiefs LB Leo Chenal is set to be a free agent. Should the Chicago Bears sign him as a Tremaine Edmunds replacement?
Chenal spent his first four seasons in Kansas City. A third-round pick out of Wisconsin in 2022, he has played in 65 games, starting 44 over four seasons. He has been a top special teams contributor every year, playing over 60% of Kansas City’s special teams snaps in each of his four seasons. In 2025, he played over 50% of the team’s defensive snaps for the first time, so his role grew over the years.
Physically, he stands 6-foot-3 and weighs about 250 pounds, and while not as lengthy as Edmunds, he’s still a force in the middle.
In 2025, Chenal had 58 total tackles (25 solo), 2.0 sacks, two pass breakups and an interception in 14 games (12 starts).
Per PFF, opposing quarterbacks had a 98.8 passer rating when throwing his way last year. He has a 72.6 coverage grade (that ranks 11th out of 88 qualifying linebackers) and a 76.2 grade against the run (ranked 22nd). By comparison, Edmunds allowed an 87.2 passer rating last year, and he earned a 52.1 coverage grade (50th out of 88 LBs) and an 81.3 grade against the run (ranked 15th).
Why the Chicago Bears Could Try to Sign LB Leo Chenal to Replace Tremaine Edmunds
“The 25-year-old has never been in a full-time contributor in Kansas City’s defense, playing fewer than 550 snaps in each of his four seasons with the Chiefs. But in his rotational role, he flashed playmaking ability, plugged holes against the run, generated seven sacks and held his own in coverage (when asked),” NFL.com’s Kevin Patra wrote about Chenal, adding:
“The former third-round pick is primed to find more responsibility in a new defense. Unfortunately, off-ball linebackers without every-down experience typically don’t have burgeoning markets. If he lands a full-time role, the return on investment, however, could be significant for his new club.”
With his rookie contract now up, Chenal is set to hit free agency. Early projections from Spotrac suggest he could command roughly $4.6 million. That would sit well below Edmunds’ 2026 cap hit.
There’s no denying Edmunds is a better all-around player, but Chenal is no slouch, and he’d be much cheaper. Plus, the savings Chicago could net by cutting Edmunds and adding the current Chiefs LB could be directed toward other roster needs (see: safety, edge rusher, and left tackle, among others).
If Edmunds really is a goner, the Bears might want to give Chenal a long look.