In 7 Days, Vikings Can Chase a Tackler Built Like a “Cinder Block”
If a game took place tonight, the Vikings would figure things out at linebacker. Do note, though, that that’s largely due to the versatility within edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel and safety Josh Metellus, both of whom do well in the box.
The position, left on its own, is in desperate need of a talent infusion. Veteran Blake Cashman is still in town, but he’s moving into the final year of his contract and is a touch older (which is to say nothing of the injury struggles within his career). Over in Kansas City, Leo Chenal has developed into a very good player who could shore up Minnesota’s ‘backer spot for several years.
Top Vikings Need & The Powerful LB in Free Agency
In 2022, Mr. Chenal got chosen by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 3rd. He did so with the promise of being a physical thumper.
Consider the word coming from Lance Zierlein. The assessment ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft: “Inside linebacker with a densely muscled frame for full-contact fighting between the tackles. Chenal is like a cinder block. His limbs absorb contact without losing balance or positioning. The power and toughness are outstanding but his technique, play recognition and discipline need more work.”
Further thoughts: “He’s tightly bound, lacking the fluidity and lateral agility for consistent success as an open-field tackler. He won’t offer much in coverage but has success as a power blitzer. Chenal has rare point-of-attack power and will be a handful inside the box, but will be limited by athletic deficiencies. He might never be more than a good backup or low-end starter but he should be able to make a living in the league.”
Folks, Chenal sounds like a really nice LB2. Cashman is a high-end athlete and thinker of the game, allowing him to be a three-down player. Chenal, meanwhile, looks like a nice complement as someone who wins on early downs and who can blitz a ton on 3rd downs.
Consider the more current assessment from PFF: “Chenal has never logged 600 or more defensive snaps in a season, but he has earned PFF grades above 70.0 in each of his four NFL seasons. At 25, he remains young enough to offer developmental upside and brings versatility as a blitzer, having generated 48 total pressures since 2022.”
For whatever it’s worth, PFF has given the linebacker impressive coverage grades in recent seasons. The 2025 season involved offering a 72.6 coverage grade and 2024 boasted a 75.0 coverage grade. Not elite, but far from a hindrance.
Furthermore, Leo Chenal offered his team value as someone who shuffled all over the formation. Most prominently, the linebacker has played linebacker, putting up 962 snaps in the box. He then has 535 snaps along the defensive line (vast majority at edge rusher). The added bonus is 90 snaps in the slot alongside a pair out wide at corner (likely a man assignment where a running back stretches wide).
Add it all up and consider what he offers. Leo Chenal is a 25-year-old linebacker who fills a team need and who comes in at 6’3″ and 250 pounds. He’s a two-time Super Bowl champion who has graded well, has come out of a sophisticated, aggressive defense, and who has proven versatility.
Finally, consider the price.
PFF offers a guess that comes in at a pair of seasons at $6 million per year. Almost certainly, that’s too low. Meanwhile, Spotrac comes in at a more modest total, suggesting that a three-year pact for total money coming in below $14 million gets the job done. Again, not high enough.
The Vikings, quite possibly, could be enticed by Leo Chenal. If so, there will need to be a strong offer to bring him to the Twin Cities. Does $8 million per season sound like a reasonable sweet spot? Do note, folks, that he has yet to clear 500 defensive snaps in his career. As a result, there’s unlikely to be a major contract dropped down on him even if a team does need to offer a strong deal to get him signed.
Official prediction: a three-year pact for $8 million per season. A trio of seasons for a total of $24 million roughly mirrors the deal Blake Cashman signed a couple offseason ago. The player gets a strong raise while Minnesota leaves room for the defender to offer excess value.
In 2025, Leo Chenal played in fourteen games, starting a dozen. Chenal offered 58 tackles, 2 sacks, 5 QB hits, 2 tackles for loss, 1 interception, and 2 passes defended. He blitzed 32 times, a number that would skyrocket in Minnesota.
NFL free agency begins in a week.
