Charles Leno has certainly bounced back since the Bears released him in May, as he’s agreed to a new three-year deal with the Football Team worth $37.5MM, according to tweets from NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport.
Leno was a seventh-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft for the Bears and signed a four-year, $38MM extension in 2017. Leno was named an alternate for the 2019 Pro Bowl, but was released just two years later this past May.
After being released, the eight-year veteran signed a one-year deal with Washington worth $4MM. The prove-it contract was a worthwhile gamble as Leno’s new deal is his biggest yet in terms of annual value. Washington benefitted from the gamble, as well, as Leno earned the 3rd best pass blocking grade among all tackles in the league thus far this season, according to Pro Football Focus.
Whether Washington plans to stick with Taylor Heinicke or Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback next year or if they choose to draft a young star from the 2021 NFL Draft crop, the Football Team has locked down their blindside tackle for the next three years.
One of many unforced errors by Ryan Pace.
I’m no fan of Pace, but if Leno had played like that for the Bears last year, they wouldn’t have released him.
His play was not bad enough to justify just releasing him.
Leno was a turn style with the bears just like Massie. The problem was they cut both of their starting tackles and replaced them with 1 rookie with a noted back issue
Jay will be happy when he learns of this while in his garage !!
Jay’s less successful brother
A rare commodity – someone who has played every game this year.