Leo Chenal

Career StatsC+

Year	Team	GP	Tkl	Sacks	INT
Career		65	218	7.0	1
2025		14	58	2.0	1
2024		17	60	1.0	0
2023		17

Season	Team	GP	Tkl	Sacks	INT	PD	Grade
2025		14	58	2.0	1	—	D+ D+ Bottom 30%
2024		17	60	1.0	0	—	D D Bottom 20%
2023		17	65	3.0	0	—	D D Bottom 20%
2022		17	35	1.0	0	—	F F Bottom 5%

Grades reflect the player's performance in each season. Header grade shows the current season.

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Leo Chenal's $8.25M deal lands at a C- Contract Value Index, signaling a measured outcome for Washington. The contract reflects a fourth-year linebacker whose 2025 production—58 tackles, 2 sacks, and 1 interception across 14 games—qualifies as solid starter output without elite-level impact, a profile that aligns cleanly with a C+ performance grade and mid-tier linebacker market valuation. At $8.25M annually on a three-year rookie-scale deal, Chenal sits squarely in the reliable veteran tier rather than the premium pass-rush tier, a positioning that makes sense for a player with 7 career sacks and 3 forced fumbles over five seasons. The B+ sentiment surrounding his arrival in Washington reflects genuine organizational confidence and fan appreciation for his dependable presence, yet the absence of star-caliber acclaim keeps the CVI modest—he's a valued rotational piece in a rebuilding defensive unit, not a franchise anchor. His age (25) and career stage position him as a stabilizing veteran rather than an ascending prospect, which further justifies a conservative contract valuation. Over three years, this deal presents manageable cap risk and positions Washington to retain a consistent contributor without the bet-the-farm commitment reserved for elite defenders.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Leo's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Leo Chenal's on-field production earns a C+ performance grade against linebacker peers across the league. His 2025 season output of 58 tackles across 14 games demonstrates solid availability and a consistent workload, positioning him as a dependable run-defender and rotational presence rather than an elite starter. The bright spot in his profile is his 2-sack output paired with an interception, showing he can flash playmaking ability in coverage and off the edge when opportunities arise. However, the tackle volume alone—respectable for a fourth-year player but not dominant—combined with modest splash-play generation reveals a ceiling: Chenal is a productive, durable linebacker without the statistical explosiveness that separates Pro Bowl-caliber pass rushers at his position. His mid-tier contract ($8.3M annually) and recent signing by Washington reflect exactly what the tape suggests—a solid starter capable of handling a full defensive role in Daronte Jones' scheme, a reliable veteran presence in a rebuilding secondary who won't generate Pro Bowl votes but will quietly handle his responsibilities week to week. For a fourth-year player entering his prime window, this C+ grade accurately captures a contributor who has earned a stable roster spot through consistency rather than dominance.

How Leo Compares at the Position

Leo Chenal ranks 131st of 338 graded linebackers by performance. That slots Leo between Jack Sanborn (C+) just ahead and Arden Key (C) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Leo Chenal carries a B+ sentiment grade entering 2026, reflecting the steady respect that comes with being a reliable, if unspectacular, NFL linebacker. His three-year, $8.3M annually deal with Washington positions him squarely in the solid starter tier—a contract that signals organizational confidence without suggesting franchise-cornerstone status. Media coverage of his signing has been notably neutral-to-positive, with outlets framing him as a meaningful defensive reinforcement rather than a marquee acquisition, which aligns perfectly with his five-year track record of consistent production (7 career sacks, 3 forced fumbles) without elite-level acclaim. The absence of negative headlines around performance decline or off-field concerns has allowed Chenal to maintain respectable professional standing among fans and analysts alike. Washington's investment suggests they view him as a dependable contributor to their linebacker rotation, and the public perception reflects exactly that—a solid, appreciated addition to a rebuilding defense who won't generate headlines but will quietly handle his responsibilities. This B+ grade captures the sweet spot of positive regard without the burden of superstar expectations, positioning Chenal as a valued veteran presence in the nation's capital.