The Chicago Bears are widely expected not to retain linebacker Tremaine Edmunds for the 2026 season, opening a crucial gap at the position. To address this, the Bears are considering signing Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal as a potential solution amid ongoing discussions in the Tremaine Edmunds replacement debate.
Assessing Leo Chenal’s NFL Journey and Contribution with the Chiefs
Leo Chenal, a third-round draft pick from Wisconsin in 2022, has spent four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, appearing in 65 games and starting 44. Throughout his tenure, he has established himself as a key special teams player, consistently playing over 60% of the Chiefs’ special teams snaps each season. His defensive role grew in 2025, when he featured in over half of the team’s defensive plays.
Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing approximately 250 pounds, Chenal offers a formidable presence despite being slightly shorter than Tremaine Edmunds. His 2025 statistics include 58 total tackles (with 25 solo), two sacks, two pass breakups, and one interception across 14 games, 12 of which he started.
Advanced analytics from Pro Football Focus (PFF) reveal that opposing quarterbacks had a passer rating of 98.8 when targeting Chenal, who earned a 72.6 coverage grade, ranking 11th among 88 qualifying linebackers, and a 76.2 run defense grade, placing him 22nd. In comparison, Edmunds allowed a lower passer rating of 87.2 but had a significantly lower coverage grade at 52.1, ranking 50th, alongside an 81.3 run defense grade ranked 15th.
Financial and Strategic Reasons Behind a Possible Bears-Chenal Partnership
The Bears face a large financial burden with Tremaine Edmunds, whose 2026 salary cap hit exceeds $17 million. Releasing Edmunds could save the team about $14 million, a substantial figure given Chicago’s broader roster needs. Meanwhile, Chenal is expected to enter free agency, with projections estimating his market value around $4.6 million — far more affordable than Edmunds.
NFL.com analyst Kevin Patra highlighted Chenal’s blend of rotational experience and playmaking skills, noting:
“The 25-year-old has never been in a full-time contributor in Kansas City’s defense, playing fewer than 550 snaps in each of his four seasons with the Chiefs. But in his rotational role, he flashed playmaking ability, plugged holes against the run, generated seven sacks and held his own in coverage (when asked),”
Kevin Patra, NFL.com analyst
Patra further added,
“The former third-round pick is primed to find more responsibility in a new defense. Unfortunately, off-ball linebackers without every-down experience typically don’t have burgeoning markets. If he lands a full-time role, the return on investment, however, could be significant for his new club.”
Kevin Patra, NFL.com analyst
With Edmunds commanding one of the highest linebacker salaries in the NFL due to his four-year, $72 million contract signed in 2023, the Bears must weigh the cost versus performance equation. Edmunds posted solid numbers in 2025, including 112 tackles, nine pass breakups, a sack, and four interceptions over 13 games. However, his steep price raises concerns about salary cap flexibility.
What Replacing Edmunds with Chenal Means for the Bears’ Future
Although Edmunds is generally regarded as a more established and versatile linebacker, Leo Chenal represents a cost-effective alternative who can contribute immediately, especially in coverage and run defense. The financial savings from moving on from Edmunds could be redirected to other roster priorities like safety, edge rusher, and offensive line upgrades.
If the Bears decide to part ways with Edmunds, securing Chenal as his replacement could provide the team with a younger, hungry contender capable of developing into a full-time defensive asset. The move would reflect a strategic pivot focusing on balance between fiscal responsibility and competitive contribution as the Bears build for upcoming seasons.
