Leo Chenal: A Strategic Addition for the Buffalo Bills’ Defense
The Buffalo Bills are poised for a defensive shift under new coordinator Jim Leonhard, and that means personnel adjustments are inevitable. With key linebackers Matt Milano and Shaq Thompson facing free agency, the Bills need to bolster their depth at the position. Among the potential free agents, one name consistently surfaces as a strong fit: Leo Chenal.
Why Leo Chenal Makes Sense for Buffalo
Chenal, a former third-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs, didn’t consistently feature as an every-down player during his time in Kansas City. However, his skillset and experience align perfectly with what Leonhard is likely to implement. Bills General Manager Brandon Beane emphasized the importance of finding players who “fit the DNA” of the defense, and Chenal appears to be just that.
“If we think this guy, as a linebacker, is a piece that can help us. He’s got the intelligence that you’re referring to. He’s a DNA fit. If he fits what we’re looking for in this defense, then, yes, we’d do that,” Beane stated last month. “We’re looking at where is the depth of the draft versus where is the depth of free agency.”
Contract Value and Projected Impact
Financially, Chenal presents an attractive option. Spotrac estimates his average annual value at $4.6 million, a reasonable figure for a team navigating salary cap constraints. Sports Illustrated recently ranked Chenal at No. 44 among pending free agents, projecting a three-year, $25 million contract. The Bills are considered a prime landing spot, alongside the Chicago Bears.
As noted by Matthew Verderame, “Chenal is an intriguing player. He’s an athletic linebacker who can cover, but he only played at least 50% of the defensive snaps once in Kansas City… He projects as a potential three-down linebacker with the ability to run with backs and tight ends.”
A Familiar System: The Leonhard Connection
Perhaps the most compelling reason to target Chenal is his pre-existing relationship with Jim Leonhard. Chenal spent three seasons (2017-2022) playing for Wisconsin, where Leonhard served as defensive coordinator. In 2021, he was recognized as the Butkus-Fitzgerald Big Ten Conference Linebacker of the Year, recording an impressive 18.5 tackles-for-loss in just 11 games. He was also a First Team AFCA All-American, averaging 10.5 tackles per game.
Proven NFL Experience
Despite not being a consistent starter in Kansas City, Chenal has accumulated valuable NFL experience. He’s played in 65 regular season games, including 44 starts, averaging 54.5 tackles and 397 defensive snaps per season. He’s also a two-time Super Bowl champion, contributing 16 tackles across three Super Bowl appearances, including a sack on Jalen Hurts in Super Bowl LVII.
This experience, combined with his familiarity with Leonhard’s system, could allow for a quicker and smoother integration into the Bills’ defense. Leonhard’s ability to leverage Chenal’s existing knowledge base could be a significant advantage as he implements his new defensive philosophy.
Further Reading: Leo Chenal’s NFL Stats and Profile on Pro-Football-Reference
