The Kansas City Chiefs rookies continue to get early reps at training camp, with a three-day minicamp before the veterans arrive.
The drills aren’t too intense for now as the focus is on conditioning and mastering the playbooks, but at least one rookie is looking forward to full contact soon. Third-round LB Leo Chenal has been viewed as a steal because of his aggressive playing style. The young linebacker wasted no time after being drafted to promote violence and physicality as a part of his mindset on the field.
During Sunday’s training camp practice, Chenal had an interception during team drills.
“Yeah, I definitely pride myself in the violence, physicality part,” said Chenal. “I love that part of the game. That’s football to me. But, with a more passing league now, it’s an opportunity to progress in that area. I just got to continue to learn, put myself in uncomfortable situations. That’s how you become a better football player.”
Chenal has the immediate energy needed to be a terror on defense and intimidate opponents. The aggression will have to wait at training camp as the team has a ramp-up period before they can put the pads on and participate in contact practices.
“Coach (Brendan) Daly told me like, ‘Oh, sorry, dude, it’s, we gotta wait till August 1.’ And I’m like, ‘Ah, geez, darn it.’” said Chenal. “But uh, you know, I’m not trying to look forward like that and trying to stay in the moment. But you know, it’s definitely exciting, you know, something to have on my calendar. It’s pretty cool.”
In 11 starts with the Badgers in 2021, Chenal posted 115 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and two forced fumbles. He seems to relate to the mindset of the Chiefs’ defensive coaching staff and intends to bring that same violence and physicality he displayed at Wisconsin to Kansas City.
“I mean, football is football,” said Chenal. “I don’t think (it’s) anything unique. We know that we’ve got to be violent — the most violent — team on the field. So I don’t think (it’s) anything unique. Everybody knows that.”
The Chiefs clearly have another rookie who is motivated and ready to make an impact at the pro level.
