LT Charles Leno Jr. a new 4 year extension?

[JoeyTourettes]

4 Years, $38 Million with $21.5 in guarantees...

Thoughts?

They have a HUGE amount of cap space... so money isn't an issue, but I know this board hasn't been very kind to Leno. Serviceable, but nothing special. Hopeful he still improves over this deal.

 

[richig07]

Leno is better than most options in the league, and somewhere in the middle of the pack as far as starters go.

He has games where gets beat consistently by upper echelon pass rushers. However, most of the time he's solid. Good run blocker, semi-liability in the passing game... Overall, he's fine. Falls into the second tier of tackles, as there is probably only 4 truly elite ones or so.

He was going to get paid pretty big time next off-season by somebody desperate for a LT, and I think we just wanted to beat them to the punch. Hopefully this is also some type of an indicator that the staff feels they have seen improvement in camp.

If he does take that next step this season, this contract will wind up being a bargain. Leno isn't exactly "betting on himself" here. A big year could have made him a VERY rich man on the open market, but I understand wanting security as well.

I guess they're not all gambling men like Jimmy Butler. lol

 

[JoeyTourettes]

Agreed Rich, I could also see this as a Team philosophy in that... "look we just gave this guy, who isn't elite, a really good deal... if you work hard, you could get the same."
The Bears have many many many players on ONE year deals...looking to stick somewhere.

 

[beardown07]

He's the only o-lineman that played in all 16 games last year.


Durability means a lot on the oline.

 

[richig07]

He's the only o-lineman that played in all 16 games last year.


Durability means a lot on the oline.

Yeah, exactly. I meant to put that in my original post.

He's a bit above average and reliable. That gets you far. Not just in football, not just in sports... but in life. lol

 

[noonthirtyjoe]

Seems like a lot of money but LT's are not cheap. Good for him.

 

[richig07]

Seems like a lot of money but LT's are not cheap. Good for him.

21.5 guaranteed over 4 years, only amounts to just under 5.5 mil per year. Like I said, good bargain if he continues to be durable, and if takes a step forward. Pace will look like a genius, locking up a top 10 LT for that price.