Training camp for the Kansas City Chiefs is right around the corner, and with the annual trek to St. Joseph nearly here, we're examining every position group on the roster heading into camp.
We'll continue with the linebackers, where the Chiefs currently employ eight players. Let's take a look at each, beginning with last year's returning starters in Nick Bolton and Drue Tranquill. The rest of the Chiefs' linebackers are then listed alphabetically.
Nick Bolton
The quarterback of Kansas City's defense once again in 2025, Bolton recorded the second-most snaps (1,012) of any Chiefs' defender last year. His 154 tackles meant a fourth season (out of his five years as a professional) in which he topped the 100-tackle mark.
A second-round pick in 2021, Bolton has appeared in 74 games (with 70 starts) during his time in Kansas City, often serving as the "green dot," which means he calls the defense on the field. His leadership has been integral to a unit that leads the NFL in scoring defense since 2022 (19.4 points allowed-per-game).
Drue Tranquill
Tranquill enters his fourth season with Kansas City after starting 17 games last year, tallying 103 tackles, 10 tackles-for-loss and two sacks across 884 defensive snaps.
He has proven to be a versatile member of the Chiefs' linebacker corps during his time in Kansas City, too. Notably, when fellow linebacker Nick Bolton missed a handful of games due to injury in 2023, Tranquill took over defensive signal-calling duties.
Alongside Bolton, Tranquill figures to be a consistent member of Kansas City's linebacker corps once again in 2026.
Kam Arnold
A "Reserve/Future" signee back in January, Arnold – who signed with the Chiefs' practice squad in late December – originally entered the league as an undrafted free agent signee with the Washington Commanders last year. He was part of the Commanders' final roster cuts after tallying 58 defensive snaps (and 12 tackles) during the preseason.
A five-year contributor at Boston College from 2020 through 2024, Arnold was a team captain during his final year in school, finishing the campaign sixth on the squad in total tackles despite suffering a season-ending injury in October.
Jeffrey Bassa
The No. 156 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Bassa appeared in all 17 games last season, primarily contributing on special teams.
Before joining the Chiefs, the 6-foot-1, 228-pound Bassa filled up the stat sheet during his career at Oregon, recording 236 tackles, 13.5 tackles-for-loss, seven passes defensed, 4.5 sacks, three interceptions and two forced fumbles in 55 games (with 43 starts) over his four years there.
The No. 4 linebacker in Dane Brugler's draft guide for The Athletic last year, Bassa – who began his career as a safety at Oregon – transitioned to weakside linebacker before moving to the middle ahead of his junior campaign, which is where he grew into one of Oregon's defensive leaders. He served as Oregon's "green dot" in 2024, meaning he called the defensive plays on the field.
Now heading into his second year in the NFL, he'll have an opportunity to earn more defensive snaps in 2026.
Jack Cochrane
A prime example of how an undrafted free agent can carve out a role despite humble beginnings, Cochrane – a rookie free agent signee in 2022 – has appeared in 64 games for the Chiefs over the past four seasons. His 975 special teams' snaps over the last three years lead Kansas City, and when called upon, Cochrane has logged defensive snaps in 17 career games.
With Leo Chenal no longer on the roster, Cochrane will have additional opportunities to make an impact defensively in 2026.
Cole Christiansen
Christiansen, who originally signed with the Chiefs' practice squad in early September of the 2022 season, has appeared in 15 games for Kansas City over the past four years. He tallied three appearances last season, playing exclusively on special teams.
The 28-year-old linebacker appeared in seven games for the Los Angeles Chargers between the 2020-21 seasons before signing with Kansas City.
Cooper McDonald
One of the best stories from last summer, McDonald – a tryout player at Rookie Minicamp – made the Chiefs' initial 53-man roster and went on to appear in all 17 games in 2025. Notably, McDonald's 289 special teams' snaps ranked third on the team.
Additionally, McDonald logged at least 20 defensive snaps in each of the Chiefs' final two games last year, which included a start in Week 18.
Before heading to Kansas City, the 6-foot-2, 235-pound McDonald tallied 25 tackles, four tackles-for-loss, three sacks, a forced fumble and a pass defensed in nine games for TCU in 2024. Prior to his time with the Horned Frogs, McDonald spent two seasons each at Washington (2020-21) and San Diego State (2022-23).
Wesley Bissainthe
An undrafted free agent signee, the 6-foot-2, 225-pound Bissainthe appeared in 54 games (with 41 starts) over the last four seasons, including 15 starts last year as Miami marched to the National Championship Game.
A middle linebacker for the Hurricanes, Bissainthe utilized a fully-charged motor and aggressive demeanor to the tune of 204 career tackles (and 14.5 tackles-for-loss).
Here's more from The Athletic's Dane Brugler:
"He offers solid height/weight/speed and play recognition. Special teams will be a realistic entry point to his pro career."
The Bottom Line
The Chiefs kept six linebackers for Week 1 last season, doing so for the third time in the last seven years (2019, 2023). Kansas City has also kept as few as five (2020, 2021, 2024) and four (2022) in recent seasons.
Notably, five of the six linebackers who made the team last year are still with Kansas City in Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill, Jack Cochrane, Cooper McDonald and Jeffrey Bassa. The lone member of that crew who isn't back for 2026 is Leo Chenal, potentially opening up a spot for one of the other three linebackers currently on the roster.
As always with this position, the final guys who either make the initial roster or stick around on the practice squad will have demonstrated their value on special teams – in addition to the defense – throughout camp, just as Cochrane and Christiansen have over the years.
