Charles Leno Explained

Charles Leno
Position:Offensive tackle
Birth Date:9 October 1991
Birth Place:Oakland, California, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:3
Weight Lbs:302
College:Boise State (2009–2013)
Draftyear:2014
Draftround:7
Draftpick:246
Pastteams:
Highlights:
Statseason:2023
Statlabel1:Games played
Statvalue1:149
Statlabel2:Games started
Statvalue2:141
Pfr:L/LenoCh00

Charles Leno Jr. (born October 9, 1991) is an American professional football offensive tackle who is a free agent. He played college football for the Boise State Broncos and was selected by the Chicago Bears in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL draft. Leno was a seven-year starter for the Bears, making the 2019 Pro Bowl with them, and also played three seasons with the Washington Football Team / Commanders.

Early life

Leno attended San Leandro High School in San Leandro, California, where he played football and basketball, earning three varsity letters in each sport. He was named first-team all-conference as an offensive tackle and second-team all-conference as a defensive end as a senior. He was considered a three-star recruit by Rivals.com.[1]

College career

Leno attended Boise State University, where he was a member of the Boise State Broncos football team from 2009 to 2013. He started 39 consecutive games at offensive tackle for the Broncos during his career, with the final 26 at left tackle. He earned All-Mountain West Conference honors twice in his career: a second-team selection as a junior and a first-team selection as a senior.[2]

Professional career

Chicago Bears

Leno was selected by the Chicago Bears in the seventh round (246th overall) of the 2014 NFL draft.[3]

After being a backup as a rookie, Leno was named the full-time starting left tackle in Week 4 of the 2015 season.

On August 23, 2017, Leno signed a four-year, $38 million contract extension with the Bears.[4] He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2018,[5] and was the first Bears offensive tackle to be named since James O. Williams in 2001.[6]

After seven seasons as the Bears starting left tackle, Leno was released on May 3, 2021 after the team selected Teven Jenkins in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft.[7]

Washington Football Team / Commanders

Leno signed a one-year contract with the Washington Football Team on May 15, 2021.[8] He started all 17 games of the 2021 season and signed a three-year, $37.5 million contract extension on January 5, 2022.[9] [10]

On December 30, 2023, the Commanders placed Leno on injured reserve due to a calf injury before releasing him on March 1, 2024.[11] [12]

Personal life

On December 16, 2018, after the Bears defeated the Green Bay Packers to win the NFC North division title, Leno proposed to his girlfriend Jennifer Roth at midfield.[13] Leno is a father of three daughters.[14] Leno and his wife lost their fourth child due to a miscarriage in October 2023.[15]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Charles Leno, 2009 Offensive tackle. Rivals . May 7, 2022.
  2. http://blogs.idahostatesman.com/boise-state-football-places-four-players-on-all-mountain-west-first-team/ Boise State football places four players on All-Mountain West first team
  3. Web site: Perper, Jake . May 10, 2014 . Bears Add Tackle Charles Leno Jr. With Their Final Selection . ChicagoNow . May 10, 2014 . May 12, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140512213846/http://www.chicagonow.com/bears-backer/2014/05/2014-nfl-draft-bears-add-tackle-charles-leno-jr-with-their-final-selection/ . dead .
  4. Web site: Sessler, Marc . August 23, 2017 . Bears, Charles Leno agree to four-year, $38M extension . https://web.archive.org/web/20170823204741/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000833580/article/bears-charles-leno-agree-to-fouryear-38m-extension . dead . August 23, 2017 . NFL.com.
  5. Web site: Eurich . Matt . December 18, 2018 . Seven Chicago Bears named alternates to 2019 Pro Bowl . December 19, 2018 . 247Sports.
  6. News: Biggs . Brad . January 22, 2019 . Bears offensive linemen Charles Leno and Cody Whitehair are added to the NFC Pro Bowl roster . . January 22, 2019.
  7. Web site: Mayer . Larry . May 3, 2021 . Roster Move: Bears release veteran LT Charles Leno Jr. . Chicago Bears. May 3, 2021.
  8. Web site: Washington Signs T Charles Leno Jr. . May 7, 2022 . Washington Commanders.
  9. Web site: LT Charles Leno, Washington agree to 3-year, $37.5M extension. Gordon, Grant. NFL. January 5, 2022.
  10. Web site: Washington Commanders. Why Charles Leno decided to stay in Washington. January 7, 2022. May 7, 2022. Zach. Selby.
  11. Web site: Alper . Josh . December 30, 2023 . Commanders put Charles Leno, Tyler Larsen on IR . January 8, 2024 . NBCSports.com.
  12. Web site: Commanders release TE Logan Thomas, T Charles Leno Jr. . Commanders.com . 1 March 2024.
  13. News: Kane . Colleen . December 16, 2018 . Bears lineman Charles Leno proposed to his girlfriend on the field after win over Packers — and she said yes . . December 19, 2018.
  14. Web site: Selby . Zach . June 20, 2021 . Charles Leno's Adorable Story Of Finding Out About His Second Daughter . Washington Commanders. May 7, 2022.
  15. Web site: October 15, 2023 . Commanders' Charles Leno Jr. won't play after wife's miscarriage . October 15, 2023 . ESPN.com.