While the Kansas City Chiefs decide on retaining free agent Leo Chenal, a new threat has emerged. The Buffalo Bills were pointed to by NBC Sports' Peter DiBiasi as a clear potential landing spot for Chenal, offering "Linebacker Leo Chenal should be at the top of the list for the Bills this free agency, Elite against the run, Physical style of play, Experience with Jim Leonhard." The first two points made by DiBiasi are the exact reasons why Kansas City is entertaining a possible Chenal re-signing.
However, the Bills are far better equipped to land the defender thanks to his connection to Leonhard, coupled with Buffalo having more cap space than Kansas City. Leonhard and Chenal were together at Wisconsin, with the current Buffalo defensive coordinator helping develop the linebacker. It would be hard to blame the pending free agent for choosing to reunite with his college coach, even if it does mean joining a Chiefs rival.
For the Chiefs, another aspect to consider is the team's needs in the secondary and along the defensive line. Nick Bolton is already being paid at the linebacker position, making it a bit more difficult to justify a potential re-signing with other positions having far more obvious needs for reinforcement.
Chiefs Preparing for Increasing Possibility Leo Chenal Will be Stolen by Rival
Chenal finished the 2025 season with 31 tackles and three sacks, offering a fun change-of-pace blitz option. The bulk of the defender's value is in attacking the run and getting downhill, utilizing his speed to catch up to plays. Still, it isn't as if Chenal isn't replaceable, and the Chiefs have a handful of exciting draft selections falling so far out of contention.
It makes sense to bring back the defender on a value deal, a deal far less likely to happen with Buffalo's suspected interest. Beyond the coaching connection, it makes sense for the Bills to steal from a team they can never beat when the lights are brightest. It lends the franchise hope that they aren't setting themselves up for yet another predictable playoff exit at the end of the 2026 season.
Still, Kansas City fans don't want to see a key contributor helping the rival, especially as they are dealing with struggles of their own. It would be far better to see Chenal return for another season or find a landing spot that isn't a hated rival.
It is a story to keep an eye on as the Chiefs weigh Chenal's future and focus attention on an offseason retool as Kansas City attempts to right the ship after missing the playoffs for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era.