Leo Chenal becomes latest defender to leave KC Chiefs in free agency
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- Leo Chenal signs three-year, $24.75M deal with Washington Commanders.
- Chenal is the sixth 2022 Chiefs draftee to leave the team in this free agency.
- Chenal logged 218 tackles and 7.0 sacks across 44 regular-season games.
The first two days of free agency have seen an exodus of Kansas City Chiefs defenders, and linebacker Leo Chenal has become the latest.
Chenal will sign with the Washington Commanders when the new league year begins Wednesday, according to league insider Jordan Schultz. It’s a three-year contract worth $24.75 million, which Chenal confirmed in his own post.
Chenal, 25, was selected by the Chiefs out of Wisconsin in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. In addition to becoming the latest defender to find a new home, Chenal becomes the sixth member of the class to leave the team in free agency.
Cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson (Los Angeles Rams), safety Bryan Cook (Cincinnati Bengals), cornerback Joshua Williams (Tennessee Titans) and running back Isiah Pacheco (Detroit Lions) will all be playing for new teams next season.
Chenal wraps up his Chiefs career with 44 regular-season appearances, tallying 218 tackles, seven sacks, six passes defensed, three forced fumbles and an interception. Chenal played several roles for defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and could be difficult to replace, but Washington’s number likely priced him out of remaining in Kansas City.
Chenal joins his fellow departing Chiefs from the 2022 draft class, all of whom were part of the back-to-back Super Bowl championship teams in 2022 and 2023.
This story was originally published March 10, 2026 at 9:49 PM with the headline "Leo Chenal becomes latest defender to leave KC Chiefs in free agency."
