{"id":162838,"date":"2026-03-12T00:22:15","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T00:22:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=162838"},"modified":"2026-03-12T00:22:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T00:22:15","slug":"%f0%9f%92%94sad-news-ex-chiefs-lb-leo-chenal-sends-emotional-goodbye-to-kansas-city-after-commanders-move%f0%9f%91%87","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=162838","title":{"rendered":"\ud83d\udc94SAD NEWS: Ex-Chiefs LB Leo Chenal Sends Emotional Goodbye to Kansas City After Commanders Move\ud83d\udc47"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kansas City, MO.<\/strong>\u00a0Free agency always brings change across the NFL, but some departures carry a deeper emotional weight for both players and fans.<\/p>\n

For one defender who helped shape a championship era in Kansas City, the moment has arrived to begin a new chapter.<\/p>\n

In recent days, the\u00a0Kansas City Chiefs<\/span>\u00a0have seen several members of their championship core depart in free agency.<\/p>\n

As the roster continues to evolve following years of success, another familiar face from the defense is officially heading elsewhere.<\/p>\n

Leo Chenal<\/span>\u00a0has agreed to a\u00a0three-year contract worth $24.75 million<\/strong>\u00a0with the\u00a0Washington Commanders<\/span>. The deal will take effect when the new league year begins, bringing an end to Chenal\u2019s time in Kansas City.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Wisconsin, Chenal quickly developed into a versatile contributor within defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo\u2019s system. Across\u00a044 regular-season appearances<\/strong>, he recorded\u00a0218 tackles, seven sacks, six passes defended, three forced fumbles, and one interception<\/strong>, while playing multiple roles across the defensive front.<\/p>\n

Shortly after news of his move became public, Chenal shared a heartfelt message to the city and the fan base that supported him during the most successful stretch of his young career.<\/p>\n

“Even though I\u2019m no longer here, I\u2019ll always consider myself a Chief for life. Kansas City gave me some of the best years of my career. When the time comes for me to retire, I want it to happen wearing a Chiefs jersey.”<\/em><\/p>\n

Chenal was part of one of the most successful draft classes in franchise history. Members of the Chiefs\u2019 2022 draft group helped power the team to\u00a0back-to-back Super Bowl championships in the 2022 and 2023 seasons<\/strong>, establishing themselves as an important part of the team\u2019s defensive identity.<\/p>\n

However, free agency often forces difficult decisions. With the Commanders offering a significant contract, the financial reality made it difficult for Kansas City to retain the young linebacker as the organization continues balancing a roster built around quarterback\u00a0Patrick Mahomes<\/span>.<\/p>\n

For Washington, the signing represents an investment in a defender entering the prime of his career. Chenal\u2019s physical style, versatility, and experience in championship environments could make him a valuable piece for a Commanders defense looking to strengthen its front seven.<\/p>\n

\"Inside<\/p>\n

For Chiefs fans, though, the move marks the end of a memorable chapter. One of the defenders who helped deliver multiple titles now begins a new journey. Yet the connection between Chenal and Kansas City will remain long after his final snap in red and gold.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Kansas City, MO.\u00a0Free agency always brings change across the NFL, but some departures carry a deeper emotional weight for both players and fans. For one defender who… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":162839,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-162838","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl"],"yoast_head":"\n\ud83d\udc94SAD NEWS: Ex-Chiefs LB Leo Chenal Sends Emotional Goodbye to Kansas City After Commanders Move\ud83d\udc47 - NEWS USA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=162838\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"\ud83d\udc94SAD NEWS: Ex-Chiefs LB Leo Chenal Sends Emotional Goodbye to Kansas City After Commanders Move\ud83d\udc47 - NEWS USA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Kansas City, MO.\u00a0Free agency always brings change across the NFL, but some departures carry a deeper emotional weight for both players and fans. 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