After seeing former Badgers like Tyler Biadasz, David Edwards and Alec Ingold cash in during free agency, one more Wisconsin alumni received a big deal this week.
The Washington Commanders signed former Badger linebacker Leo Chenal to a three-year, $25 million deal on Tuesday. The former Kansas City Chief will now head to the DMV to slot in alongside Frankie Luvu, as one more Badger linebacker gets a big contract.
Between T.J. Watt, Zack Baun, Andrew Van Ginkel and more, Leo Chenal becomes another Badger in a long string of Wisconsin linebackers who have earned a big payday in the NFL.
Badger linebackers continue to show why Wisconsin is the best at producing NFL talent
Leo Chenal was drafted by the Chiefs as a third-round pick in 2022, and has stacked several strong seasons in Kansas City. After notching 58 tackles, two sacks and one interception in 2025, he's now headed to the East coast as a new starter for Washington.
At just 25, Chenal may not have reached his ceiling yet, and the Commanders are betting on his continual improvement. Much like other linebackers to come from Wisconsin, Chenal has no shortage in ability to reach the quarterback with seven career sacks as an off-ball linebacker, but he'll need to show he can be an every down linebacker after only playing about 50% of defensive snaps for the Chiefs.
Wisconsin continues to prove why they are the premier NFL linebacker factory with the latest signing of Chenal. Not only with stars like Watt or Baun, but other strong players like Jack Sanborn, T.J. Edwards and more, Badger linebackers have their fingerprints all over the league. Even this past year, with the emergence of Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano, the Badgers will likely be producing even more NFL talent in the next few seasons.