Chicago Bears: Charles Leno Is “Scary” Underrated

One name that has been a hot topic throughout the offseason for the Chicago Bears is left tackle Charles Leno Jr., the man tasked to guarding Jay Cutler’s blind side.

It’s one of the most important jobs in professional football, so needless to say there are many fans and media who are nervous about leaving it in the hands of a former 7th round draft pick. Coming out of Boise State, the tags about Leno varied. While scouts liked his size and athletic potential, they were less than enthused with his “soft” body and general lack of polish with his hands. Most predictions had him either being a career backup swing tackle or perhaps a starting guard down the line.

Instead here he is, playing such a crucial position. One could say it happened by accident. Leno was on the sideline when the 2015 season began. Through the first three games he barely saw any action, but that changed when veteran Jermon Bushrod went down with a shoulder injury. Suddenly the Bears were forced to turn to the untried second-year man. Needless to say the early impressions were mixed, but over time there was a steady improvement in his play. So much in fact that the team kept him in as starter even after Bushrod got healthy.

Still, there were expectations the team would look for a possible upgrade during the offseason. That didn’t happen. GM Ryan Pace insisted the Bears are very high on Leno and believe he can be their long-term starter, a point driven home recently by offensive line coach Dave Magazu.

Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune reinforced this belief when he watched the 24-year old during training camp.

"“Experience continues to help left tackle Charles Leno in his pass setsSpecifically, he knows his body better than he did a year ago. It’s evident on the practice field in his frequent battles with outside linebackers Willie Young and Lamarr Houston.Early in team drills Monday, Leno locked up with Houston and steered him wide and beyond quarterback Jay Cutler out of the play. In one-on-one drills Sunday, Houston tried to bull rush Leno, but Leno was stout with his anchor.”"

Indeed the progress made by Leno over the second half of last season was hard to miss. It wasn’t perfect by any stretch, but he didn’t give up many sacks at all and held his own against some of the top pass rushers in the game including Ezekiel Ansah, Clay Matthews, and Robert Quinn. Signs point to his confidence being much higher and his body being in better physical condition. The Chicago Bears have shown zero signs of lagging confidence in what he can do, and this isn’t a coaching staff light on proven eyes for talent.

Maybe it’s to stop looking at Charles Leno as a 7th round pick and start believing that maybe, just maybe the Bears got themselves a steal.