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Ian Rappaport has just reported that the Bears will release longtime left tackle Charles Leno. This appears to be a salary cap driven move, but maybe not.
Leno was ranked #32 in overall blocking grade by PFF in 2020, and #23 in pass blocking.
Washington’s Cornelius Lucas, considered by many to be a journeyman right tackle, graded out 23rd overall and 14th(t) in pass blocking.
Leno was scheduled to make $8.9m in 2021; Lucas is scheduled to collect around $1.6m.
The two players are the same age.
Along with the #Bears drafting future LT Teven Jenkins, Chicago also took OL Larry Borom in the 5th. In a year where everyone is tight against the cap and forced to make tough financial decisions, the Bears save $9M with this move. It will be a post-June 1 cut. https://t.co/2yCxjTi1yI
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 3, 2021
It would appear that Leno will be an unrestricted free agent this week. That means that any team in the league can sign him to a contract immediately. On paper, I think most NFL fans would see Leno as a huge upgrade to Cornelius Lucas.
Related:
Why I like the decision to draft Sam Cosmi as Washington’s future left tackle
Washington, of course, just drafted Samuel Cosmi as their left tackle of the future. How soon he takes over that role remains to be seen, but it might not hurt Cosmi to spend a year as the swing tackle, improving his functional strength and technique.
Poll
If Leno was interested in playing in Washington, what would you suggest Ron Rivera do?
This poll is closed
-
56%
Say "no thanks" to Leno and stand pat with the current roster
(914 votes) -
2%
Cut Lucas and sign Leno
(48 votes) -
35%
Keep Lucas, sign Leno and cut some bottom of the roster receiver or defensive lineman.
(566 votes) -
4%
Something else entirely
(79 votes)