Leo Chenal

Career StatsD

Year	Team	GP	Tkl	Sacks	INT
Career		65	218	7.0	1
2025		14	58	2.0	1
2024		17	60	1.0	0
2023		17

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Washington made a calculated gamble that falls somewhere between prudent and questionable, signing Leo Chenal to a three-year, $24.8M deal ($8.3M AAV) that earns a C CVI. The Commanders are paying above-average starter money for a rotational player, which creates an immediate value gap that needs to be bridged by significant development or expanded usage. At 25, Chenal has the physical tools and age profile to grow into this contract, making this less about current production and more about betting on untapped potential in a new defensive system. The $12.4M guaranteed figure provides reasonable protection for Washington while still allowing them flexibility if Chenal doesn't evolve beyond his current rotational role. This deal reflects the reality of today's linebacker market, where teams often pay for projection rather than established production, but the Commanders will need Chenal to become a legitimate every-down player to justify treating him like one financially. It's the type of signing that looks either shrewd or wasteful depending entirely on whether their defensive coaches can unlock more consistent impact from a player who's shown flashes but not sustained excellence.

Performance Analysis

Leo Chenal earns a D grade as a young linebacker who showed explosive potential in Kansas City before moving to Washington. His physicality and blitzing ability made him a situational weapon with the Chiefs, delivering some of the hardest hits in the league. The Commanders are hoping to expand his role beyond the specialized packages he played in Kansas City, which requires improvement in his coverage skills. Chenal's raw power and speed from the linebacker position are genuine assets, but becoming a complete three-down player is the next challenge. His upside is significant if the coverage game catches up to his physical gifts.