One of the Washington Commanders’ many free agent signings brought inside linebacker Leo Chenauer to the East Coast. Chenauer was originally drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs, whose rookie contract expires this year, but he wasn’t on the market long before the Commanders lured him to them.
Not only do the Commanders add an athletic, versatile linebacker to the starting lineup and rotation, but CBSSports.com says his deal is one of the 10 best deals in free agency so far.
Contract terms: 3 years, $24.25 million (AAV $8.1 million)
Chenauer has been a quality starter throughout his career, and he’s still only 25 years old. (He doesn’t turn 26 until October.) He can defend the run and the pass and can play different positions and different roles in the frontfield. Dan Quinn should have fun with him as a movable pawn.
CBS Sports has parameters for determining the top 10 value trades, such as only considering players who signed with new teams and allowing only one bargain deal per team. Taking those factors into consideration, coupled with how the league views a guy like Chenauer and what the Commanders are paying for him, makes him one of the best deals to cut so far.
advertise
The Commanders have considerable cap space in 2026, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be frugal. As the offseason goes on, any money they can save on other contracts that still need to be completed, such as rookie deals, will go a long way in helping them stay under the salary cap.
Chenauer’s performance over the next few years will determine the amount of his next contract, but for now, the Commanders have a quality linebacker of their own that isn’t costing them much.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Leo Chenal is top 10 bargain in free agency
