How pre-lunch chats helped Chiefs player emerge in new role: ‘That’s exciting for me’
Leo Chenal says he changed his mind on the fly.
This was late in the second quarter against Jacksonville on Sunday — a second-and-9, to be exact — when the Kansas City Chiefs linebacker adjusted his plan while pass-rushing against Jaguars right tackle Anton Harrison.
“I was almost gonna go for a double-swipe (move) there,” Chenal said Wednesday, rewatching a replay on an iPhone in front of his locker. “Then I just saw him set so high, so I wanted to turn to power.”
Instead of relying on mechanics, Chenal went with strength. It worked out well for the Chiefs’ second-year player, as he bowled Harrison back toward his quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who hurried a throw that fell short of its intended target.
It was part of an impressive day for Chenal in an emerging role. Chenal, a Chiefs third-round pick a season ago, is being utilized more on the end of the defensive line, and he had a significant impact there Sunday while contributing four quarterback pressures — tied for most on the team with Chris Jones.
“Any time I can attack the passer, that’s exciting for me,” Chenal said. “And it’s honestly something ... I kind of started out slow, being on the line. I wasn’t used to it.”
That, likely, was expected.
Chenal didn’t play at all on the defensive line as a linebacker at Wisconsin. He still showed a willingness to learn more about the role during his rookie season last year; right after walk-throughs most days and before eating lunch, he began a routine of speaking with Chiefs defensive line coaches Joe Cullen and Terry Bradden — along with teammates Jones and George Karlaftis — about pass-rushing strategy.
“Even if it’s 10 minutes, just walking through and going through the moves,” Chenal said, “just trying to create muscle memory.”
The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Chenal appears to have the potential to be an impact player on the edge if he continues progressing.
Not only could that duty add to his versatility — he also can play in the box as a linebacker and is a key contributor on special teams — but Chenal also believes being on the edge accentuates his strengths.
“I pride myself on being strong. I love lifting weights. So just being able to go up and set the edge and run,” Chenal said. “And then, the next step is developing as a truly good pass-rusher too. I think I just need to develop the technique, and once I get that down, it’ll be smooth.”
Chenal’s snaps on the defensive line have noticeably increased this season. According to Pro Football Focus’ charting, his highest snap total there last season was eight in the Super Bowl against the Philadelphia Eagles.
This year, he had 11 snaps as a D-lineman in the opener against Detroit, then 12 on Sunday against Jacksonville.
“If I can expand my game in that way, it’ll be huge for me,” Chenal said. “And if I get better, it’ll be huge for the team.”
Chenal has improved in other areas, too.
He said back during Organized Team Activities over the summer, he could sense he had a greater understanding of the defense. Chenal remembers taking deep breaths when going through drills, realizing none of the activities were unfamiliar anymore.
“So just go out there and let it loose,” Chenal said. “I’m able to slow it down and look at a receiver’s split while I’m sitting on the edge, or little things I wouldn’t notice before. My mind is operating more calmly right now, and it’s making me that much better.”
There were two notable examples when that benefited him Sunday.
One was an attempted Jacksonville double-pass attempt. Chenal said Chiefs coaches had warned that might be coming in film sessions, and a key read was whether Harrison went to block him aggressively.
Once the right tackle jumped out at Chenal, he decided to fall back on his preparation.
“I saw the running back start flashing out, and kind of like chasing a rabbit,” Chenal said with a smile. “I just went, trusted how I felt.”
Chenal made the tackle on the play for a one-yard loss.
Another time his pregame study paid off: the game’s second play. Chenal rallied from behind to make the tackle on a receiver screen that Jacksonville had blocked up well.
Chenal said that Chiefs coaches had highlighted earlier in the week that any time the Jaguars had four receivers on one side and one on the other, there was a high-percentage chance a screen was coming.
“I was kind of waiting for it,” Chenal said. “I didn’t want to get out of position, like, ‘Oh, they’re gonna put in a new play.’ So I started going towards the tackle, and as soon as I saw that three-step drop, I just went.”
Chenal could be in line for a bigger role ahead. According to Pro Football Focus, he’s graded as the Chiefs’ third-best defender in two games, ranking behind only Jones and cornerback Trent McDuffie.
And though KC’s defense has had a strong start through two games, Chanel said the group remains unsatisfied.
“We’ve just got to keep stacking,” Chenal said. “We’re not sitting here patting ourselves on the back. We always have something to work on, looking at it. But I do think we feel confident.”
