Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp Preview: Linebackers bring experience and athletic upside to the defense
The Kansas City Chiefs' linebacker corps is coming off a stellar 2023 season. Most of the unit is returning in 2024, but it took a bit of a hit with the loss of Willie Gay Jr., who signed with the New Orleans Saints during the offseason. Third-year man Leo Chenal figures to be the next […]
The Kansas City Chiefs' linebacker corps is coming off a stellar 2023 season.
Most of the unit is returning in 2024, but it took a bit of a hit with the loss of Willie Gay Jr., who signed with the New Orleans Saints during the offseason. Third-year man Leo Chenal figures to be the next man up after a solid two seasons in a rotational role.
The Chiefs' linebackers are led by veterans Nick Bolton and Drue Tranquill. Bolton missed nine games last season due to a wrist injury, but Tranquill stepped up and played well in his absence. Pro Football Focus ranked Kansas City's linebackers as the 12th best unit in the NFL entering the 2024 season.
Let's get into some details about the Chiefs' linebackers and how the group could shake during training camp.
Chiefs linebackers overview ahead of training camp
Who are the expected starters:
Weak-side linebacker- Drue Tranquill
Middle linebacker- Nick Bolton
Strong-side linebacker- Leo Chenal
Who is currently hurt:
Chenal was limited during OTAs with a back injury, but the fact that he participated in some capacity is a positive sign. Coach Andy Reid didn't seem concerned about Chenal missing any time when camp begins.
Biggest Chiefs training camp battle: Jack Cochrane vs. Cam Jones
With Bolton, Tranquill and Chenal having the starting jobs pretty much locked down, Cochrane and Jones will battle it out for the next man up if one of the starters goes down.
Who has the edge:
Cochrane has been in the league a year longer than Jones and has played considerably more regular season snaps. Cochrane appeared in all 17 games last season and played well in two games where he saw extended action, recording 15 tackles and two tackles for loss. He is also one of the Chiefs' core special teams players, amassing 336 snaps for the unit last year.
Jones also made an impact on special teams last season, appearing in all 17 games on 283 snaps. He recorded 17 tackles on the season, 12 of which game in an impressive Week 18 start. If Jones can carry that momentum into this year's camp he could, at the very least, cut into Cochrane's snaps. Both Jones and Cochrane could cut into Chenal's snaps a bit if they have strong camps.
Biggest training camp sleeper: Curtis Jacobs
The Chiefs signed Jacobs as an undrafted free agent during the offseason, which was a surprise to many as he was projected to be drafted as high as the middle rounds. Jacobs is an elite athlete with excellent speed, strength and length. He was a highly productive three-year starter at Penn State, earning three honorable mentions to the All-Big 10 team.
Jacobs has very good pass coverage abilities for a LB and plays with impressive sideline-to-sideline speed. He also has pass rush ability, but has a lot of room for improvement against the run. His skillset is similar to Gay and Chenal, both of whom the Chiefs had a lot of success in developing. Jacob's upside might be too good to pass on and he could sneak onto the roster as the fifth or sixth LB.
