For the fourth straight yr, I’m contemplating the ten greatest questions I’ve for the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs for 2026.
My first query centered across the offensive tackles. Now, let’s discuss concerning the linebackers:
An underrated benefit of the Chiefs’ protection over the previous 4 years has been the flexibility to play three good linebackers concurrently.
Latest historical past of Chiefs linebackers
For years, Kansas Metropolis has poured draft assets into discovering good linebacker play. Over the course of three drafts, the Chiefs used two second-round picks on Willie Homosexual Jr. and Nick Bolton, together with a third-round decide on Leo Chenal.
By 2022, the Chiefs had assembled one of many league’s highest-quality linebacker corps. These three drafted gamers discovered good synergy with one another. Homosexual had the explosiveness and athleticism to play effectively sideline to sideline and in house. Chenal was the hammerhead that would tackle blocks and eat house. Bolton was the complementary center linebacker to these two gamers together with his intelligence and dependable tackling within the run sport.
Kansas Metropolis’s linebacker room actually discovered its groove in 2023 as soon as Drue Tranquill was added to the combo. That yr’s protection was particular for a lot of causes, together with the cornerback play and the presence of defensive deal with Chris Jones in his prime, however the linebackers made an underrated impression on that protection.
All three of the younger guys understood the protection inside and outside, which allowed defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo to fluctuate his fronts. Homosexual and Chenal, particularly, thrived on this context, the place they had been allowed to blitz and play extra on the road of scrimmage.
KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 25: Kansas Metropolis Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal (54) and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs linebacker Willie Homosexual (50) on the sphere in the course of the sport towards the Las Vegas Raiders on December twenty fifth, 2023 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas Metropolis, Missouri. (Picture by William Purnell/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos) Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos
Tranquill was the right addition to that group as effectively. Tranquill was good at blitzing, but in addition had extra protection versatility than Chenal and Homosexual.
After the 2023 season, Homosexual left in free company however continued to do a very good job maximizing the trio of Bolton, Tranquill and Chenal over the subsequent two seasons.
Chenal was essential to unlocking completely different fronts as a result of he might play head-up over an offensive lineman and occupy a niche. Tranquill continued to be a productive participant and Bolton continued ascending and rounding out weaknesses in his sport.
Can the Chiefs’ linebackers proceed as a power of the group with out Chenal?
Sadly, this offseason introduced the departure of Chenal. Chenal had his limitations and can doubtless by no means be a very good three-down linebacker. I can perceive how the Chiefs arrived on the feeling that paying Chenal for a part-time function wasn’t the perfect use of their wage cap house.
Nonetheless, I do suppose the Chiefs will lose an essential talent set inside their protection.
Most groups do not need three good linebackers, not to mention one or two. The Chiefs’ protection was distinctive in its skill to match groups with its “Base” protection and nonetheless have good defenders, particularly towards the run. Chenal performed a large half in that. He was a chess piece that helped counter the opposing group’s run sport.
Being able to play base protection was large within the Tremendous Bowl LVIII victory over the San Francisco 49ers and within the previous win over the Baltimore Ravens within the AFC Championship Sport. The one group that would actually exploit the Chiefs’ base protection was the Buffalo Payments, primarily as a result of quarterback Josh Allen’s impression within the run sport. In opposition to 30 different groups, being able to play base protection was a essential and distinctive asset.
I figured the Chiefs would handle linebacker within the 2026 NFL Draft, notably as a result of it was a deep class on the place. I didn’t anticipate a top-100 decide for use on a linebacker, however I assumed it was potential across the fourth spherical. The place went unaddressed solely.
On the present roster, there are 4 guys who’re doubtless going to compete for that third linebacker spot: Jeffrey Bassa, Cooper McDonald, Jack Cochrane, and Cole Christiansen.
If the Chiefs are in search of a direct Chenal substitute, I consider Bassa could be the only option. Bassa is round 20 kilos lighter than Chenal and, usually, just isn’t as robust when taking up blocks. Nonetheless, the 2 are comparable in size and explosive downhill velocity. Bassa is keen to scream downhill and hit, which Chenal was clearly snug doing. Bassa is stiff and never good in protection, however Chenal additionally wasn’t good in protection. As a 3rd linebacker, he could possibly be an excellent slot in a restricted function.
Nonetheless, the perfect total linebacker of the 4 may be Cochrane. I’ve preferred Cochrane for a number of years. He’s on the smaller aspect and restricted versus the run, however he’s good in protection. Cochrane’s a very good athlete who strikes effectively in house. He’s not a very good slot in Chenal’s direct function, however I might see him being a reliable piece to the protection in protection.
There’s an opportunity that there are a number of linebackers who fill the Chenal void, and Spagnuolo is acquainted with teaching a protection with 4 playable linebackers. For instance, when groups go heavy on personnel and the Chiefs match with base, I might see Bassa because the third linebacker. Nonetheless, if one in all Bolton or Tranquill will get harm, Cochrane is extra suited to play snaps.
As essential as Chenal was to the protection, the Chiefs would play base protection on solely about one-third of snaps. It wasn’t one thing that affected nearly all of snaps. Nonetheless, it’s essential to have the ability to play efficient base protection, particularly as groups are transitioning to utilizing extra tight ends and heavier personnel.
Linebacker depth issues extra in case one in all Tranquill or Bolton will get harm. The Chiefs have had good depth for years, but it surely’s in query for this season.
Who’s going to be the Chiefs’ third linebacker? Will or not it’s one participant or a number of? If one in all Tranquill or Bolton will get harm, who could be the subsequent linebacker to play? And if both of these two will get harm, can the Chiefs survive on protection?
Do you may have any solutions to those questions? Do you may have extra questions concerning the linebackers? Tell us within the feedback.
