National media outlet says a former Super Bowl hero would be a perfect free agent fit for the Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are looking to take a big step forward in 2026.
The Carolina Panthers are looking to take a big step forward in 2026 after winning the NFC South in 2025.
Carolina made the playoffs this season for the first time since 2017. That’s certainly a sign of progress for a franchise that hasn’t been able to get out of its own way in recent years.
The Panthers’ quick exit from the playoffs, however, shows that Carolina still has a long way to go before they’re a true Super Bowl contender.
Pro Football Focus thinks a former Super Bowl hero would be a great free agent fit for the Panthers
One area where the Panthers need to improve this offseason is at linebacker.
Carolina’s linebacker group struggled mightily in 2025. Christian Rozeboom, for example, led the Panthers in tackles with 122, but he graded out (via Pro Football Focus) at 47.1 overall. Not good.
PFF’s Mason Cameron suggested this week that Kansas City Chiefs free agent linebacker Leo Chenal could be a good fit for the Panthers.
Cameron noted that Chenal, who has a reputation as a good run defender, has improved noticeably in pass coverage in recent years.
“After playing a limited role as a situational run-stuffing and blitzing linebacker to start his career with the Chiefs, Chenal is ready to take on a full-time role elsewhere,” wrote Cameron. “He has posted a 70.0-plus PFF run-defense grade in each of his first four seasons. But, it’s his improvements in coverage — headlined by a career-best 72.6 PFF grade in 2025 — that should make him an enticing option.
“The Panthers’ linebacking corps failed to produce a single player with a PFF overall grade above 55.0. Adding Chenal to headline the group as the new green-dot communicator would project well for a defense that ranked 23rd in EPA per play allowed this past season.”
Signing Chenal to play an every down role would be a bit of a gamble for the Panthers, but it’s not a bad idea. Chenal, after all, could be a great value signing, and he’s a proven winner who has made plays on the biggest stage.
We’ll see if the Panthers kick the tires on Chenal when free agency gets underway in March.
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