Chicago Bears History Says It’s Okay to Trust Charles Leno

A lot of people have been quick to criticize Charles Leno Jr. who has assumed the starting role as the Chicago Bears left tackle.  Is it justified?

Nobody is saying he was dominant in 2015.  There were times he clearly struggled but to say he was a human turnstile would be inaccurate.  Leno held his own against some pretty solid defensive linemen after taking over for the injured Jermon Bushrod.  Considering he was just in his second NFL season with limited game experience, one can say he performed above expectations.  So why do people continue to question him as a long-term option at the position?

Most of it may have to do with the stigma that he was drafted in the 7^th round back in 2014.  Offensive tackles taken that late just don’t turn into front line starters.  At least that’s the myth, which is unfounded.  There are plenty of examples of players being taken later in the draft who emerged to become capable players.

More from NFL Mocks

• 2024 NFL Mock Draft Journal: Cardinals, Falcons tank for USC QB Caleb Williams
• Patriots News & Rumors: Ezekiel Elliott talks fun in Foxboro; Mills to Packers?
• Fantasy Football: 5 reasons Colts QB Anthony Richardson can be a top-end option
• Packers’ Lukas Van Ness will make a Lambeau leap into the NFL in 2023
• 2024 NFL Draft: Hunter Haas’ Top 50 Big Board

• Ryan Diem was a 4^th round choice and played 11 years for the Colts.
• Bushrod himself was a 4^th rounder and reached two Pro Bowls in New Orleans.
• Rosey Brown was a 27^th round pick for the Giants and is in the Hall of Fame
• Larry Little is in the Hall of Fame and wasn’t drafted at all.

Not enough proof?  Then how about the Bears franchise itself provide the facts.  Chicago in fact has quite a rich history as it turns out of plucking offensive linemen from seemingly nowhere and turning them into stars.

• Lee Artoe was an 11^th round pick in 1940 and went to three Pro Bowls.
• Bill Wightkin went in the 8^th round as a defensive end, switched to tackle and made a Pro Bowl.
• Jay Hilgenberg was an undrafted center out of Iowa and made seven Pro Bowls.
• James “Big Cat” Williams was an undrafted defensive tackle who switched to right tackle, started 143 games and made a Pro Bowl.

With success stories like that, why is it so crazy to think that maybe something happened that always happens in a draft and a good player slipped through the cracks with Charles Leno Jr.?  It’s too early to tell whether he’ll reach similar heights as those guys, but condemning him for where he was drafted without giving him the chance to prove himself is shortsighted in the extreme.  The Chicago Bears are smart to ignore the outside noise in this regard.

If they feel they have something in Leno, they should play him.