Another Wisconsin graduate secured a significant contract this week after witnessing former Badgers like Tyler Biadasz, David Edwards, and Alec Ingold make money during free agency.
Former Badger linebacker Leo Chenal agreed to a three-year, $25 million deal with the Washington Commanders on Tuesday. As another Badger linebacker signs a large deal, the ex-Kansas City Chief will now go to the DMV to take his position next to Frankie Luvu.
Leo Chenal is just another Badger among a long line of Wisconsin linebackers who have made a fortune in the NFL, including T. J. Watt, Zack Baun, and Andrew Van Ginkel.
Wisconsin remains the best at creating NFL talent, as demonstrated by the outstanding play of its linebackers.
The Chiefs selected Leo Chenal in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and he has had multiple outstanding seasons in Kansas City. Having recorded two sacks, one interception, and 58 tackles in 2025, he is currently moving to Washington’s East Coast as a newcomer.
Chenal is only 25 years old, so he may not have hit his potential yet, and the Commanders are counting on his continued development. Chenal, who hails from Wisconsin, is a talented off-ball linebacker with seven career sacks, much like other linebackers from the state, but he will need to demonstrate that he can be an every down linebacker after only playing around 50% of the Chiefs’ defensive snaps.
The most recent signing of Chenal demonstrates once more that Wisconsin is the top producer of NFL linebackers. Badger linebackers have their fingerprints all over the league, not just with stars like Watt or Baun, but other strong players like Jack Sanborn, T. J. Edwards, and others. With the emergence of Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano this past year, it’s probable that the Badgers will continue to create NFL talent over the next several seasons.
