The Kansas City Chiefs could lose Leo Chenal in free agency, and they are razor-thin at linebacker. Even though they drafted Jeffrey Bassa last season, he never hit the field. The NFL Draft class is not strong at linebacker, so the Chiefs’ best chance to add a playmaker at this position might be in free agency.
Quay Walker (Green Bay Packers)
He is a 6’4”, 241-pound linebacker this year. He combined 58 solo tackles and 2.5 sacks. Throughout his career with the Packers, he played 58 games with 469 total tackles, 264 solo tackles, 205 assist tackles, 9 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles. One of his strengths is that he rarely misses tackles; his strong point is making them. He has also improved his diagnosis of the run game; he is a dangerous blitzer with a high pressure percentage.
One of his weaknesses is that he hasn’t had any interceptions or forced fumbles in the last two seasons, but he is not a bad player; he’s just not a playmaker. However, if the price is right, he would help improve the run defense for the Kansas City Defense. He is projected to sign a 3-year, $30 million deal.
Devin Bush (Cleveland Browns)
He is a 5’11”, 235-pound linebacker who spent 7 seasons in the league with the Steelers, Seahawks, and the Browns. This year, he recorded 63 solo tackles, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 3 interceptions, and in his career, he played 98 games, totaling 524 tackles (299 solo, 225 assists), 7 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and 5 interceptions. He shows high-volume production, including his 125 tackles in 2025. He is a fast, explosive linebacker.
This year was his best stat season, and he showed out as a strong linebacker. One of the weaknesses is not being the average size for a linebacker, which might make it harder to shed blocks against larger offensive linemen. He is projected to sign a 3-year, $26 million deal.
Devin Lloyd (Jacksonville Jaguars)
He is a 6’3” 235-pound linebacker who spent his whole rookie deal in Jacksonville, where this year he combined for 35 solo tackles, 81 total tackles, 46 assist tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 5 interceptions. He came into free agency with 63 games played, 436 total tackles, 230 solo tackles, 206 assist tackles, 3.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 9 interceptions.
His strengths are his elite coverage ability and excellent run support as a linebacker, and you could line him up on the edge to rush the quarterback. He shows inconsistency in diagnosing run plays; he struggles with block-shredding against heavier offensive linemen. I would expect him to get a 3-year, $46 million deal or a 4-year, $73 million deal.
Kenneth Murray Jr (Dallas Cowboys)
He is a 6’2”, 242-pound linebacker who spent 7 seasons in the NFL with the Chargers, Titans, and Cowboys. This year, he played 17 games in which he combined 81 total tackles, 38 solo tackles, 43 assist tackles, and 1 sack. In his whole career, he played 90 games, 497 total tackles, 309 solo tackles, 188 assist tackles, 9.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 3 interceptions.
He makes a high-effort tackle, shoots the gaps to stop the run, and has high-motor playmaking. He is a big liability in pass coverage and poor at block shedding. I would expect him to sign a 1-year, $4-6 million deal. He could be seeking a prove-it deal in the $3 million range.
