Future Chiefs Starter Deserves More Playing Time in Playoffs

The Chiefs are almost fully healthy at the right time, putting the finishing touches on the offense, defense, and special teams ahead of a potential three-peat. Even with this being the case, one future starter and clear breakout star hasn't received enough playing time and the team needs to increase his snaps to cement another Super Bowl.

Third-year LB Leo Chenal, originally taken in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, has emerged as one of the most versatile weapons on Steve Spagnuolo's defense. He's been under-utilized but once the Divisional Round arrives, Chenal needs to be unleashed.

Against some of the more potent offenses the league has to offer, Chenal's skillset can put Kansas City over the top.

Chiefs Need to Increase LB Leo Chenal's Snaps in Playoffs

Teams like the Ravens and Bills, both potential playoff opponents, rely heavily on the running threats their respective quarterbacks provide to catch defenses off balance. In the playoffs, Chenal should essentially take over Willie Gay Jr.'s vacated role as a spy man who can blow up these dangerous rushers in the backfield.

While Gay Jr. left last offseason and the Chiefs made no major additions at linebacker, Chenal has still been in on only 41% of the defensive snaps, the exact same number as last year. He ranks as the 11th-best linebacker out of 141 qualified players at Pro Football Focus yet he is outside of the top 80 in snaps played.

Chenal has 60 tackles, three forced fumbles, three deflected passes, one sack, and one game-winning field goal block. He's one of the most athletic linebacker prospects in recent memory, illustrating his pure talent at a valuable position.

For all of Chenal's clear success, he hasn't eclipsed 40% of the snaps since Week 11. To beat these other teams, that has to change.

Drue Tranquill is in the first season of a three-year extension, though Nick Bolton is a pending free agent. We don't yet know if the Chiefs intend to re-sign Bolton but either way, it's reasonable to expect Chenal's role to grow into a starter over the next couple of years. Thus, it's time to take the training wheels off and let him loose this postseason.

Kansas City currently holds the second-best odds at FanDuel Sportsbook (+375) to win the Super Bowl. Should Chenal get more time and experience a true breakout, those odds will prove to be a steal down the stretch.

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