How Does Loss Of Willie Gay Affect Chiefs' LB Rankings?

The Kansas City Chiefs boast a strong unit up and down both sides of the roster.

Winning two consecutive Super Bowls is not an easy task, and this season, the Chiefs can become the first team to ever win three in a row.

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But the team has lost some pieces, notably on defense, linebacker Willie Gay departed Kansas City for New Orleans in free agency to join the Saints.

Will this affect the LB room? Pro Football Focus thinks so, but maybe not as much as one might think. Gordon McGuinness ranked all 32 linebacker rosters and put the Chiefs at No. 12.

"The Chiefs lost Willie Gay in free agency but still have an impressive linebacking unit overall," McGuinness wrote. "Nick Bolton earned the lowest season grade of his NFL career in 2023, but he dealt with injuries and earned a PFF grade above 70.0 in each of his first two years. Leo Chenal could see his role expand after impressing against the run in his second season, earning a 90.6 PFF run-defense grade that ranked third at the position.

"Drue Tranquill enjoyed a decent first season in Kansas City, capping it off with a career-high 68.4 PFF grade."

Tranquill and Bolton are trending to be the two best in the room next season, and Tranquill returns on a three-year, $19 million deal that will keep him with the Chiefs through 2026.

The Chiefs are in a good place, and with a little luck, they can make history in 2024.