Chiefs: A Short Take on The Linebacker Crew

Bolton-Mike, Off-Ball LB-Gay, and Chenal-Strong Side LB, With Carter Mixed into the group?

It may be that Gay will be the SAM, but I see his speed as the most advantageous from the WILL position, especially with the 3 LB defensive sets. So this is how I see it.

Maybe Mike Rose as the wild-card. I can see it. He can be part of the LB crew with a hybrid ability to be a pass-rusher/quasi-edge player on specific downs(even from what first appears to be a base 43 linebacker defensive set.

This is the season when the Chiefs will field three very capable LBs with the base 43 and hybrid looks. Nick Bolton will be the MIKE signal caller upfront. He can hone in on the ball and bust plays and sack opposing QBs. In 2021 he proved himself playing the Mike role as well as outside.

Willie Gay will play outside in the SAM Role, for which he has talent, or as I noted, the WILL.

Leo Chenal will rotate in as well. He would play outside also in the base 43 but can spell Bolton as the Mike. My thought is Chenal would play the SAM Role with Gay moving to the WILL. We’ll see how it all works out. No matter which way Spags and Co. lay things out, I know the outlook is bright for the Chief’s LB Corps. Everything in my investigation of Chenal at the time of the draft told me that I should expect a top-level, impact player early in the season.

Jermaine Carter was signed as a Free Agent. I had appreciated his play with the Panthers, and Carter appears to round out a four-man crew that will be solid. He set a tone for the Panther defense in 2021.

and Mike Rose may be the Wild Card. He would be a special team’s ace in my mind but could play a hybrid Edge role simultaneously — offering a different look playing the weak or strongside on different defense sets. I find the latter idea intriguing. Jarius Harris returns also. When L’Jarius Sneed was injured and sent to the IR, Harris was called up to the active Roster. Laddie and I exchanged our impressions in the pre-season of 2020, and we were both impressed enough to wonder what his fortunes would be. Also, the Chiefs signed Veteran Free Agent LB Elijah Lee.

With Gay as the SAM LB, his speed will be utilized effectively. I anticipate that he will have an outstanding season for that reason. With Nick Bolton building on his rookie year and now taking on the mantle of the signal caller, I see the Chiefs having a superb LB Pairing. When you add Leo Chenal to the mix, breaking him in gradually as they did with Gay and Bolton, I foresee a formidable LB group no matter who the 4th LB is. Jermaine Carter is a good fit, and I have previously had a good appreciation for Jarius Harris. Finally, add in the possibility of a 6-year pro–Elijah Lee.

I will observe this early in the off-season work: Steve Spagnuolo has the firepower from the LB room to play outstanding football.

I felt the LB group would be strong when the Chiefs added Free Agent Jermaine Carter before the draft. Similarly, when they signed Lee, it whetted my appetite to see the LB group for the upcoming season. Then Brett Veach selected Leo Chenal in the draft. My outlook shifted downshifted for the grade of the remaining OTAs and then Training Camp. We should get into high gear soon. I can see the players getting to high-gearing when the pads and helmets go on. Right now? The newcomers learn the Chiefs’ Way, Rookies, and Vets alike. Much more is to come in the remaining two groups of the OTAs.

I look forward to the 2022 season for the Linebacker position group.

David Bell – ArrowheadOne