A New Start in Washington
Leo Chenal is no longer a Chief. In Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season, the ex-Wisconsin Badger debuted for the Washington Commanders. It was a messy start for the team, but Chenal showed he can still contribute. Earlier this year, he joined Washington as a free agent. This move ended his time with the Chiefs, where he was a third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The debut came against a tough opponent. Chenal played 23 of 55 defensive snaps in the game, per Washington’s official snap-count report. That is a rotational role, not a full-time starter spot. Yahoo Sports’ Mark Tyler noted the miscue: “LB Leo Chenal didn’t have his best game. He only recorded one solo tackle and missed Barkley in the hole that ended up resulting in a big gain.” That one mistake stands out in a short clip. A 42-yard gain is a big deal for any defense. It gives the opponent easy points and kills momentum.
Mixed Results on the Field
The tackle miss was the biggest negative play for Chenal. But one error does not define a whole game. The rest of his time on the field was more steady. Outside of that miss, Chenal rotated at inside linebacker alongside Sonny Styles, who played 48 of 55 snaps, and Frankie Luvu, who played 29 of 55.
The Chiefs moved on from Chenal for a reason. They needed a different type of linebacker. Now, Washington has him. His value lies in depth, not star power. He is a solid piece for a rotation. He is not the guy you build a defense around. The Commanders need him to be a reliable backup.
For Chiefs fans, this is a reminder of the roster churn. The team wins big, but they let good players walk. Chenal was a third-round pick with high potential. He did not quite reach that ceiling in Kansas City. Now he tries to prove he belongs in a new system. The 2026 season is just starting. One game does not tell the whole story. But the 42-yard run will stick in the memory.
Chenal has a chance to fix those mistakes. He needs to stay on the field more than 23 snaps. If he does, he could become a key part of Washington’s plan. If he keeps missing tackles, he will sit on the bench. The Chiefs will watch from afar. They know the talent. They just want to see the results. The road ahead is long for both Chenal and the Commanders.
