Just one day after the Chicago Bears ushered in a new era at left tackle with Theo Benedet, former starting LT Charles Leno was preparing to usher in a new era of life.
Leno, who has not played since 2023, announced his retirement from the NFL after 11 seasons, the last of which was spent on injured reserve as a member of the Bears’ Week 6 opponent, the Washington Commanders.
One fan even noted the “poetic” nature of Leno’s decision to make his announcement.
Former Bears LT Charles Leno Announces Retirement From NFL
Former Commanders LT Charles Leno Thanks Bears 1st in Retirement Announcement
Leno has not played for the Bears since the 2020 season. However, he began his career in Chicago as a seventh-round selection, No. 246 overall, of the 2014 NFL Draft and spent seven seasons with the Bears, six as a full-time starter at the left tackle spot.
“SEVENTY [peace hand sign emoji],” Leno captioned a post announcing his retirement on Instagram on October 14.
He also referenced his former teams’ slogans, “Bear Down” and “Hail to the Commanders.”
Leno was durable, playing in every regular-season game from 2016 through 2020, and earned Pro Bowl honors in 2018. He was also one of the Bears’ more polarizing players as a staple on teams that often struggled.
Leno started 47 of his first 51 games with the Commanders, but they released him during the 2024 offseason.
Washington traded for Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil this past offseason.
Charles Leno Walks Away After 11 Years in NFL
Leno was a member of two teams that went to the playoffs, both with the Bears, and enjoyed two winning seasons during his career. The former Boise State Broncos also earned just shy of $62 million in NFL contracts, per Over The Cap, with $31.5 million coming from the Bears.
Leno’s 143 starts from 2015 through 2023 are the third-most in the NFL among offensive tackles, fourth-most among O-linemen, and sixth-most overall during that span, per Stathead.
Leno also ranks sixth in starts among Bears offensive tackles in franchise history.
He trails only Super Bowl champion Keith Van Horne, Pro Bowler James Williams, NFL Champion Herman Lee, Hall of Famer Jimbo Covert, and ‘60s-‘70s staple Randy Jackson on the team’s all-time list.
The Bears would be fortunate to see that level of continuity again. Benedet is just one start into his run, which the Bears certainly hope is an extended one. Meanwhile, his predecessor, Braxton Jones, started 44 of his 45 games played but is in the final year of his contract.