Chiefs Linebacker Leo Chenal Projected to Join Panthers in Free Agency

Pro Football Focus believes Chenal's best landing spot is with the Carolina Panthers after four seasons with the Chiefs.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal is set to hit free agency after four seasons with the team. Pro Football Focus projects Chenal's ideal landing spot is with the Carolina Panthers, where he could slot in as the new green-dot communicator for their defense. Chenal has improved in coverage over his career and would help bolster a Panthers linebacking corps that struggled in 2025.

Why it matters

The Chiefs may have a tough decision to make between retaining Chenal or veteran linebacker Drue Tranquill, who they can save $6 million in cap space by releasing. Chenal has been a key contributor on defense and special teams for Kansas City, so his departure would create a void they'd need to fill.

The details

Chenal was drafted by the Chiefs in the third round in 2022 and has appeared in 65 games with 44 starts over his four-year career. He's recorded 218 total tackles, 7 sacks, 26 QB pressures, 6 passes defensed, 1 interception, and 3 forced fumbles. Chenal has also been a standout on special teams, logging over 1,000 snaps. The Chiefs face a similar situation as last offseason when they lost defensive lineman Tershawn Wharton to the Panthers in free agency.

  • Chenal was drafted by the Chiefs in the 3rd round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
  • Chenal has played out his 4-year rookie contract with the Chiefs.
  • Chenal will be 25 years old at the start of the 2026 season.

The players

Leo Chenal

A linebacker who has spent the last 4 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs after being drafted in the 3rd round in 2022.

Drue Tranquill

A 7-year veteran linebacker who has spent the last 3 seasons with the Chiefs.

Nick Bolton

The Chiefs' middle linebacker who signed a 3-year, $45 million contract extension this offseason.

Jeffrey Bassa

A linebacker drafted by the Chiefs in the 5th round last year.

Tershawn Wharton

A defensive lineman who left the Chiefs in free agency last offseason to sign a 3-year, $45.05 million contract with the Panthers.

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What they’re saying

“After playing a limited role as a situational run-stuffing and blitzing linebacker to start his career with the Chiefs, Chenal is ready to slot in full time elsewhere. He has posted a 70.0-plus PFF run-defense grade in each of his first four seasons.”

— Mason Cameron, Pro Football Focus Analyst (Heavy.com)

“But it's his improvements in coverage — headlined by a career-best 72.6 PFF grade in 2025 — that should make him an enticing option. The Panthers' linebacking corps failed to produce a single player with a PFF overall grade above 55.0 in 2025. Adding Chenal to headline the group as the new green-dot communicator would project well for a defense that ranked 23rd in EPA per play allowed this past season.”

— Mason Cameron, Pro Football Focus Analyst (Heavy.com)

What’s next

The Chiefs will need to decide whether to re-sign Chenal or focus on retaining veteran linebacker Drue Tranquill, who they can save $6 million in cap space by releasing.

The takeaway

Chenal's potential departure from the Chiefs highlights the difficult decisions teams face in free agency, having to weigh the value of retaining young, improving talents versus more experienced veterans. The Panthers could provide Chenal a chance to step into a larger role and solidify their linebacking corps.