The Kansas City Chiefs are looking to become the first team in NFL history to win two consecutive Super Bowls. The Chiefs’ defense last season played a major role in leading them to their second consecutive Super Bowl victory. With two starters, including a linebacker, leaving the team as free agents, it will be interesting to see what the Chiefs’ defense will be like in 2024.
The Kansas City Chiefs linebacker left the team in free agency.
Willie Gay Jr. signed a one-year contract with the New Orleans Saints. Gay spent his first four seasons with the Chiefs, starting 47 regular season games and nine playoff games.
The Chiefs will miss him, but they shouldn’t have to worry about their linebacker duo next season as their third-round draft pick will likely have a bigger role.
The Kansas City Chiefs’ third-round pick should play a bigger role in 2024.
With the departure of Willie Gay Jr., Leo Chenal is likely to assume a larger role in 2024. The 2022 third-round draft pick has had a solid start to his NFL career despite playing fewer than 50% of the defensive snaps over his first two seasons.
Chenal played sparingly in his rookie season, starting eight of 17 games and taking 23% of the defensive snaps, recording 35 tackles, three TFLs and one sack, and six tackles, one TFL and one sack (on Jalen Hurts in the Super Bowl) in three playoff games.
Chenal’s role expanded in Year 2, playing 10 starts in 17 games and increasing his snap count from 23% to 41%. He recorded 65 tackles, eight TFL and three sacks. He also recorded 15 tackles, one TFL and one forced fumble (against Christian McCaffrey in the Super Bowl) in four playoff games.
Their linebackers are confident Chenal will take the next step.
Nick Bolton has confidence in Leo Chenal
“We’ve only seen a few glimpses of Leo’s physical strength up until now,” Bolton said, “so I’m really excited to see him take that next step. He made a great play against the Philadelphia Eagles, especially in the second half of the season when I wasn’t playing as much.” [and] “He came in and played against the Los Angeles Chargers when we had a lot of guys injured. He’s taken big steps and I’m excited for him.”
Will Leo Chenal live up to expectations, and just how dominant will the Kansas City Chiefs defense be in 2024?
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