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Leo Chenal could be one of two Chiefs sought after in free agency next year.
It is unclear how active the Kansas City Chiefs will be during NFL free agency, which begins in less than a month.
They have a lot of work to do to get their salary cap situation in a comfortable place. The Chiefs are nearly $58 million over the cap as of now, but have plenty of ways to not only get under, but give themselves a decent chunk of spending money.
Fans are hoping that the Chiefs sign some big names at the running back and defensive line positions, but they also have to consider which players of their own to bring back. While naming one free agent that every team needs to be sure to keep, Zachary Pereles of CBS Sports took a safe route for Kansas City.
LB Leo Chenal Named a Must-Keep Free Agent for Kansas City Chiefs
GettyFree agent linebacker Leo Chenal.
Chenal is set to become an unrestricted free agent, as his four-year rookie deal is now up. Here’s what Pereles had to say about the Chiefs retaining Chenal.
“Leo Chenal wasn’t as good as he was in 2023 and 2024, though that can be said of many Chiefs players. Still, he’s a homegrown 25-year-old who has turned into a solid starter — at the very least — after being picked outside the top 100. He shouldn’t break the bank for the cash-strapped Chiefs, either.”
Chenal may not have been as productive in 2025 as he has been in previous years, but there wasn’t much of a drop off. In two less starts than in 2024, he only recorded two less tackles, and had one more sack. The Chiefs missed his impact on special teams, but he played 67 less snap for the unit than the year previous.
S Bryan Cook, Not Chenal, Should Be Chiefs’ Top Priority to Retain
GettySafety Bryan Cook of the Kansas City Chiefs.
In a perfect world, Kanas City would be able to re-sign both Chenal and Cook. It’s not out of the realm of possibility, but each could command significant contracts. Cook certainly will, while Chenal’s market is a bit more mysterious. If the Chiefs are put in a position to have to choose one or the other, they should opt for Cook.
The Chiefs have a lot of money already tied up in their linebacker corps between Nick Bolton and Drue Tranquill. They could cut Tranquill and save roughly $6 million, but he is still a productive player and the coaching staff is very high on him. Bolton, who received a three-year, $45 million extension last year, isn’t going anywhere.
Kansas City has much bigger question marks at the safety position. Jaden Hicks didn’t take a step forward in his development like the team hoped he would in 2025, and Chamarri Conner’s struggles have been well documented. Christian Roland-Wallace has flashed at safety a bit, but it’s a small sample size.
Letting Cook walk would be a big risk for the Chiefs. With the futures of cornerbacks Jaylen Watson (free agency) and Trent McDuffie (trade rumors) in doubt, losing Cook could be a blow that the secondary is unable to recover from. Cook is expected to get a significant payday, but will be worth every penny after coming off a career year and entering his prime at 26 years old.
Nick Roesch Nick Roesch covers the NFL for Heavy Sports, with a focus on the Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, and Los Angeles Chargers. He previously covered the Chiefs for USA TODAY Sports’ Chiefs Wire, and all 32 NFL teams for A to Z Sports. Roesch’s career in sports media spans 10 years. More about Nick Roesch
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