When looking at this year’s free-agent linebacker class, the consensus is that three names lead the list.

Devin Lloyd, Devin Bush, and Nakobe Dean are all hitting the open market. While each would be a significant upgrade in the middle of the Bucs’ defense, they are also expected to command hefty contracts.

Pewter Report’s Josh Queipo predicts that signing Lloyd would cost $16 million per year, Bush $12 million per year, and Dean $13.67 million per year. That might prove to be too rich for Tampa Bay. The team has numerous defensive needs to address and will also pursue re-signing wide receiver Mike Evans and other internal free agents.

With a deep linebacker class in the 2026 NFL Draft, the team might not want to commit to one of those big names on a pricey, multi-year deal. Instead, general manager Jason Licht could opt to draft a player with a top pick and then double-dip at the position on Day 2 or 3. Still, adding a veteran presence who has been there and done that would improve the defense heading into next season.

That is why Leo Chenal checks many boxes and could be just what the team is looking for.

Leo Chenal Has Been A Sneaky Productive LB With The Chiefs

Leo Chenal was drafted by the Chiefs in the third round back in the 2022 NFL Draft. Coming out of Wisconsin, Chenal made headlines for an elite 9.99 RAS score, possessing the top-end speed and measurables that made him a coveted prospect entering the league.

Chiefs ILB Leo Chenal – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Jay Biggerstaff

While Kansas City was expecting him to blossom as a full-time starter, that never truly came to fruition. Across four seasons, Chenal has played 65 out of possible 68 regular-season games, starting 44 of them. When he is on the field however, it is hard to ignore his production.

Take Pro Football Focus grades for what they are, but Chenal has never posted a season with lower than a 70.0 grade. Year in and year out, the 6-foot-3, 250-pound linebacker has admirably filled a two-down role for Steve Spagnuolo’s defense, totaling 218 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, seven sacks, three forced fumbles, and an interception during his career.

He has never played more than 53% of the defensive snaps in a given season, but that has not stopped him from flashing the kind of skillset that would fit well in Bucs head coach Todd Bowles’ defense, as well as serving as a core special teamer for new special teams coordinator Danny Smith.

Bills QB Josh Allen and Chiefs ILB Leo Chenal – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Gregory Fisher

Signing Chenal would be a bet on his upside, and that the 25-year-old can step into a more prominent defensive role. Josh Queipo predicts his contract will come in around $6 million/year on a two-year deal, costing nearly half of what the top linebackers mentioned above will make.

NFL.com’s Kevin Patra recently outlined why he is likely to be misvalued when teams begin bidding wars for free agents in a few weeks.

The 25-year-old has never been 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).

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.

How Could Leo Chenal Fit As A Bucs LB?

As Kevin Patra noted and what the snap percentages illustrate, it is unlikely that Leo Chenal will sign with a team and immediately jump in as a full-time linebacker playing a majority of the snaps.

Chiefs ILB Leo Chenal and Colts RB Jonathan Taylor – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Denny Medley

While the Bucs will be looking for answers at inside linebacker with Lavonte David remaining undecided on a 15th season and SirVocea Dennis being an upgradeable piece, Chenal would still provide much-needed stability at the position.

His best fit is playing on the early downs and containing the run, an area in which he excels. There are some limitations in his coverage ability, even with his high-end speed. As pointed out by Erik Turner above, his functional athleticism is limited but he can still aptly drop into zone coverage and also get after the quarterback in blitz packages.

Even though he might not be best pure coverage linebacker, that does not mean he cannot make plays on the ball, as the clip below shows.

Signing Chenal would be just one move to address the position, but there is a world where he platoons with SirVocea Dennis – or even Lavonte David if he decides to return and he is amicable to such a move. Another scenario is where Tampa Bay takes a rookie like Pittsburgh’s Kyle Louis in the fourth round to split duties as the coverage linebacker complement. Those two would fill one starting spot, while a top linebacker like Sonny Styles or CJ Allen would be the other starter.

Like his playstyle, bringing in Leo Chenal would open up possibilities, and it helps that he has an affordable price tag. Regardless of how Jason Licht approaches things, multiple linebackers must be added through free agency and/or the draft. Chenal is not the biggest name, but he has untapped potential and allows all doors to remain open to upgrade the position heading into next season.