Leo Chanel Sees Fit, Leadership in Washington Commanders' Defense

The Washington Commanders spent most of the offseason looking to improve a defensive unit that gave up the most yards in the NFL in 2025. Their biggest moves were signing edge rushers Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson while drafting inside linebacker Sonny Styles proved to be the highlight of the draft. With all the attention on how the former Buckeye has acclimated through the opening stretch of his rookie offseason with hopes he can become the 'green dot' linebacker in 2026, perhaps the most under-the-radar move they made during the offseason was the signing of Chiefs linebacker Leo Chanel.

In signing with the Commanders, Chanel moved from one defensive mastermind, Steve Spagnuolo, to another in head coach Dan Quinn. He had been with the Chiefs since they drafted him out of Wisconsin in 2022, winning two Super Bowls. Now he’s excited for what this Washington defense has in store for him where the 25 year old linebacker is in line for a starting role.

"Great all around administration, like players, coaches across the board, but the scheme that coach [Daronte] Jones brought from Minnesota is really linebacker friendly, in my opinion,” said Chanel.

Chanel expanded his praise for new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones, citing previous success with the Minnesota Vikings. Chanel will once again get a chance to become an impact against the run where he looks to "flow off the path" of the running back while flashing as a versatile piece against the pass as he and Styles offer disgust capability to expand the defensive playbook, but Chenal sees the area he's able to benefit from.

"They search the routes down. They’re staring at the routes while sometimes the ball is in the air, but a lot of our match zones...allow us like get back to where we’re supposed to be see peripheral routes, but to be able to look back at the quarterback to be able to break on where he’s throwing so we get more hats to the ball, more opportunity to make big plays. 

With the decision not to re-sign Bobby Wagner, the Commanders are left without its defensive leader. That where Chanel comes in, as the team is already looking at him to provide that leadership needed on and off the field. It will be much needed as not just for a turnaround for 2026 but also in the development of first-round pick Sonny Styles.

“Just being a local leader. We have great guys all around, Frankie (Luvu) is great and everything, and just be able to add to that contribute where I can,” Chanel said of his expectations in the defense in 2026.

Chenal was also among the long list of Commanders defenders to rave about the team's first round pick while admitting you can "definitely tell why he was drafted top ten picks."

"He definitely looks the part, he plays the part, he sounds the part. Just from a young guy, you know, coming from a big program, playing how he did. He’s early meetings, like late at the stadium or late at the facility here. He commands the defense well. He’s very communicative."

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