72 Days Until Chicago Bears 2017 Season Kicks Off: Charles Leno Profile
The Bear Goggles On Countdown to Kickoff series is now underway. With 72 days to go until the Bears season kicks off we will highlight the Bears player that is wearing number 72, offensive tackle Charles Leno.
2016 Season Review
Charles Leno might be the greatest draft pick in Phil Emery’s bumpy history as Chicago Bears’ GM. Sure, he drafted Kyle Long, but Long was a first rounder, Leno was drafted in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL Draft. While Leno is picked on constantly by fans, he has been a consistent starter at tackle (mostly at left) which is impressive for a seventh round pick.
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Leno’s 2016 season was solid. He started all 16 games and was the only Bear to play every offensive snap in the team’s injury-marred season. Leno certainly isn’t flashy and he’s far from elite, but you could do far worse at left tackle than Leno.
Leno gave up 5.5 sacks on the season (according to Windy City Gridiron’s sack watch), and while that was the most on the team, that should be expected when facing the league’s elite pass rushers (and playing every snap). According to the PFF rankings, Leno finished 41st among 78 tackles (70.8 rating), which makes him extraordinarily average.
2017 Outlook
Leno has steadily improved throughout his years with the Bears. He started off as a shaky right tackle, only to become a below average left tackle and has moved his way to an average left tackle. While that doesn’t sound exciting, it certainly isn’t a cause for alarm.
If the Bears offensive line stays healthy, with a consistent unit around him, Leno could make strides to become an above average left tackle. He certainly will never be confused with Anthony Munoz, but if he improves again this year, and the trio of Kyle Long, Cody Whitehair and Josh Sitton remain relatively healthy, the Bears offensive line could be one of the best units in the league.
Related Story: Chicago Bears Offensive Line Ranked in the Top 5
Future with Bears
Of all the players on the roster, Leno’s future with the team might be the most fascinating. Leno is in the final year of his 4-year rookie contract which means he is set to make $1.8 million this season, which is peanuts for a left tackle.
The Bears will have an important decision to make in the offseason when Leno becomes an unrestricted free agent. Do the Bears pony up and pay him, which will mean a significant salary increase, or do they let him walk and leave themselves a large hole at left tackle in 2018 with franchise quarterback Mitch Trubisky most likely set to take over as starting QB?
If Leno makes strides and becomes an above average left tackle, it’s going to be difficult for Ryan Pace to allow him to walk. At the same time, can you afford to pay a left tackle who isn’t necessarily a lock to become an anchor of your offensive line?
If Leno doesn’t improve or regresses, odds are the Bears will let him walk because Pace is too careful with the salary cap to potentially overpay for a player who is no more than average. Left tackles are a hot commodity, so a 26-year old left tackle who may only be considered average is going to earn a multiyear, 8-figure contract. The Bears most likely will not do that.
However, if you let Leno walk, Pace must have a plan in place to replace him. You simply cannot have a young, future of the franchise quarterback taking over as the starter with a gaping hole at left tackle, it’s too dangerous. What do the Bears do with Leno eight months from now? That’s a fascinating question.