Leo Chenal finding his place among Chiefs’ leaders

Denny Medley-




The Kansas City linebacker discussed learning from teammates — and what he hopes others will take from him.

Early in the padded portion of the Kansas City Chiefs’ training camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, third-year linebacker Leo Chenal has been getting some looks as a pass rusher.




The Chiefs’ defense gave different looks up front, including 3 down linemen and 3 linebackers.

Leo Chenal lined up on the line as a 4th rusher in those instances. Nick Bolton & Drue Tranquill were off ball.— Taylor Bell Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) July 26, 2024






Speaking after Saturday’s practice, the former Wisconsin Badger deferred to defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.


“It’s really anything they’ve asked me to do,” Chenal said of his role in the defense. “You know, I have certain strengths to my game, whether it’s getting on the line [or] addressing blockers. So it’s really just doing whatever Spags asks me to do: lining up the A-gap, on the edge [or] off the ball. I’m getting more and more comfortable with the things I didn’t do in college. Hopefully, it’ll give me more time on the field — and help the team out as best I can.”


Chenal revealed that he has been working on defensive line-specific skills with teammates Chris Jones and George Karlaftis — and assistant defensive line coach Terry Bradden — with his eye on the success of a certain undersized Kansas City pass rusher.


Photo by Mario Hommes/DeFodi Images via Getty Images



“It’s really [been] good,” Chenal remarked of the new drills. “I worked with George, Chris, and Coach Terry all season — [and] some of the offseason — working on D-line moves. [I’m] trying to put myself in that position — trying to look at Mike Danna.


“He’s a dude that everyone respects [for] his work ethic and what he can do. So I try to watch him a little bit because he’s a great player.


“It’s an honor to be able to step in when it’s needed.”


Chenal also respects the leadership he has learned from superstar tight end Travis Kelce, now entering his 12th season.


“The most impressive thing,” the linebacker noted, “is, like, the energy [Kelce] brings — whatever year it is. He’s been in the league a while, you know. He’s still dominating. He’s still bringing the energy in OTAs. He’s still out here doing everything at a top level — but also bringing his teammates up with him — this late in his career. It’s pretty cool.”


Chenal confirmed that the Kelce seen weekly on television is who is he in the locker room, too.


“It’s everything you guys see,” he said of the future Pro Football Hall of Fame selection. “Any time he’s getting on the field, he’s pumping us up. Every time we’re walking out on the field, [he’s like], ‘Let’s go, boys! Let’s go!’ Every great play somebody makes — a singular player —he’ll call him out specifically or go [to them] on the side after the play. ‘That’s great! That’s great! Keep it going! Keep it going!’


“He’s so personable — but at the same time, he’s a great leader.”


After joining the Chiefs in 2022, meeting Kelce for the first time was eye-opening for Chenal.


“It’s kind of like the example I gave,” he recalled. “[He was] like, ‘Hey, Leo, let’s go! Let’s go! It’s time to go!’ [I’ve ] walked in as a rookie, and it’s like, ‘This dude knows me? He knows my name?’


“He’s the greatest tight end in the game. But he’s like that. You walk in as a rookie, and he gives you so much respect and so much encouragement throughout the season [and] offseason.”


Geoff Burke-



Now two short years later, Chenal is a two-time Super Bowl winner. He’s expected to play a major part in the Chiefs’ three-peat bid. He shared the advice he gives younger teammates on behalf of head coach Andy Reid.


“It’s days like this,” Chenal observed. “It gets a little hot, we get the pads on, [and] it feels a little longer. It’s just the encouragement — just like we talked about [with] Travis.


It’s encouraging them — like, ‘Hey, this is the standard. Coach Reid expects something of us, and we’ve got to bring it. Yeah, we’re tired. We’re all feeling it. We’re on our hands and knees feeling it — and we know we got five [or] ten plays ahead of us. That’s when you’ve got to dig down and grind.’


And we kind of have to bring everybody together and let them understand: ‘Hey, this is what it’s going to be like in a game. We’ve got to bring it in now.’”


Though only 23 entering this season, Chenal knows he brings the experience he needs to be counted on for what is arguably the most important season in team history.


“When you get thrown into the fire — the biggest fire [in] the playoffs — it’s the] most pressure; everybody’s relying on you,” he explained. “That really builds somebody. It builds their confidence. It builds the habits in games when you’re feeling it the most.


“So it’s a great honor when Coach Spags asked me to step up and bring it in the next season. [I’m] kind of building on it, because that’s the best position you could be in: getting called upon.”


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