Leo Chenal
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers need someone at inside linebacker who can keep up the gold standard held by Lavonte David for the last decade-plus, whether David returns for a 14th season in 2026 or not.
Now the key here is finding someone who can keep up the standard set by David, although not necessarily someone who is going to play like David. Especially not the version that got rolled out in 2025.
With so many pressing needs on defense for Tampa Bay, and off-ball linebackers not a critical component to any NFL defense these days, the Buccaneers might be well-served to go into the free agency bargain bin to find that player.
Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon thinks the best value the Buccaneers could find in that realm might be 2-time Super Bowl champion Leo Chenal, who is a free agent after spending the first 4 years of his career with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Chenal has 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,” 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.”
Chenal Featured in One of NFL’s Greatest Dynasties
In 4 seasons with the Chiefs, Chenal played in 3 Super Bowls in his first 3 seasons, winning the first 2 as an up-and-coming star on the defense.
Chenal, a 2022 third round pick (No. 103 overall), just played out the final season of his 4-year, $5.04 million rookie contract. The Chiefs are already paying their other 2 inside linebackers, Drue Tranquill and Nick Bolton, big money.
It’s far-fetched to think they’ll pay a third with Chenal, who might be considered just as deserving.
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
One of the things the Buccaneers should consider in signing free agents this year is where they come from. Getting a winner like Chenal would be great for a locker room in desperate need of winning players.
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 Wednesday. “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.”
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Tony Adame covers the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos. A veteran sports writer and editor since 2004, his work has been featured at Stadium Talk, Yardbarker, NW Florida Daily News and Pensacola News Journal. More about Tony Adame