Most of the offseason chatter around the Kansas City Chiefs has revolved around Patrick Mahomes' injury, and rightfully so. However, that's not the only big issue to focus on, and we're not talking about Travis Kelce's relationship, either.
As much as people have yapped about the Chiefs' new-look secondary and improved defensive line, and as many concerns as still linger on the pass-rushing department, the linebackers corps is also something to keep an eye on in training camp.
The Chiefs lost Leo Chenal in free agency, and they need a third linebacker to handle half of the snaps alongside Drue Tranquill and Nick Bolton. According to Chiefs insider Ron Kopp Jr., Jeffrey Bassa is making a strong case for that role.
Jeffrey Bassa might be the Chiefs' solution at linebacker depth
Jeffrey Bassa fights through a Creed Humphrey block to stop Emari Demercado for a minimal gain. 💪🏾
— Daily Chiefs (@Daily_Chiefs_) August 3, 2026
Always a good sign when you’re hearing Bassa’s name making plays with the 1st-team defense.
🎥 | @RonOnChiefs pic.twitter.com/ZMYnNvKfRF
As a converted safety, Bassa is an asset in coverage. Of course, he might need more time to get a hold of the position, and he may not be a one-for-one replacement for the departed Chenal, but it looks like defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo could give him an extended look in that SAM role.
As things stand now, the Chiefs only signed undrafted free agent Wesley Bissainthe to address Chenal's departure. That said, it's hard to believe he's a strong candidate to handle the bulk of the work at this moment.
Jack Cochrane, Kam Arnold, Cole Christiansen, and Cooper McDonald are other potential options, but it's not like any of them has made a strong case for the position. Bassa has missed the past couple of practices with a groin injury, which obviously hurts his momentum, but he can leap past all of them if he picks things up where he left them once he returns.
The Chiefs have enough questions at linebacker as is. Tranquill is coming off an inconsistent season, and Bolton isn't the most athletic guy at the position. That unit has been slow to react against mobile quarterbacks and quick throws for a while now, and Bassa's prowess in coverage could provide a steady solution there.
Bassa wasn't much of a factor in his rookie season. He played in all 17 games, but he didn't make a single start and recorded only 15 total tackles (nine solo) and one forced fumble. His main role was with Dave Toub's special teams unit, playing 65% of those snaps.
That said, it looks like the second-year linebacker out of Oregon is endearing himself to the coaching staff. And with underwhelming competition for the job, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Jeffrey Bassa land an extended role in 2026.
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