Leo Chenal film review: What does 2023 tell us about 2024?
Examining the 3rd year LB's film from last season to figure out how the Chiefs plan on utilizing him in a larger role.
“Violence and physicality, man. That’s it. I’m addicted to hitting people.”
With those 11 words, Leo Chenal (a rookie at the time who had never played an NFL snap) earned himself millions of adoring fans in Chiefs Kingdom. And by and large, the big, physical linebacker with surprising closing speed has lived up to that promise.
As a rookie, Chenal was put into a very niche role, playing a little over 22% of the snaps. In 2023, he found a larger role in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense, playing a little under 42% of the snaps in the regular season. Some of that was due to injuries (Nick Bolton missing multiple games), but some of it was due to the 2nd-year defender earning a little more time by… well, being violent and physical.
There are a few plays that could sum up Chenal in his second season, and that’s one of the best. Playing with an under-control aggression that results in him needing to take on a climbing blocker and responding by absolutely flattening the guy. It doesn’t affect the play directly, but it’s the sort of necessary dirty work that NEEDS to be done in an elite defense. Go back and watch the 2023 Chiefs defense, and you’ll see bodies flying all over the field. And Chenal was one of the guys who helped set that tone (though it really was a defense filled top-to-bottom with hitters).
Spags and Chiefs GM Brett Veach were apparently happy enough with Chenal’s development after last season to let Willie Gay Jr. leave in free agency. That leaves a certain role (Sam linebacker in base sets, some Will snaps as well) wide open for the rookie to see increased action if he’s up to the task.
Chenal has gotten a fair amount of hype from Chiefs fans, but hype doesn’t necessarily equate results. And with Gay (who was an underrated aspect to the Chiefs’ physicality on defense and a terrific athlete) out of the picture, there are certainly concerns that the defense could suffer. A lot will depend on Chenal being able to step into (most of) Gay’s role and either play as well or better than the veteran LB. And to know whether Chenal has what it takes to do so, the best step is to check out how he played after his role increased in 2023.
So to the film we go. I went back and re-watched the MIA, DEN, GB, and Vegas games from the regular season, along with all four playoff games (yet another great thing about winning Super Bowls? LOTS of playoff game tape) to get an idea as to how Spags upped Chenal’s usage, where he was able to win, where he struggled, and how he fits into Gay’s shoes for 2024. Let’s talk some violence and physicality.