Should Bengals Make a Run at Recently Released Pro Bowl Tackle Charles Leno?

Leno was released by the Bears on Monday

Author:
James Rapien
Updated:
May 3, 2021 3:20 PM EDT
Original:
May 3, 2021

CINCINNATI — The Bears released veteran left tackle Charles Leno on Monday morning. The 29-year-old made 93 consecutive starts for Chicago over the past six seasons.

Leno earned a 74.6 overall grade from Pro Football Focus in 2020, allowing five sacks and seven hits in 1,066 offensive snaps.

It's surprising because of how much stability he brought to the Bears offensive line. Chicago saves $9 million in cap space with the move.

The Bears selected Leno in the seventh-round (246th overall) in the 2014 NFL Draft.

Would he make sense for the Bengals?

That depends on a few factors. Is he willing to play right tackle? If so, then there's no reason why they shouldn't pursue him.

The other option would be moving Jonah Williams from left tackle to guard or right tackle.

The Bengals don't seem willing to do that, but it is an option, at least on paper.

Cincinnati signed Riley Reiff this offseason to play right tackle. They also drafted Jackson Carman and D'Ante Smith—both guys played tackle in college. They also used their sixth-rounder on center Trey Hill.

Of the three, Carman is expected to start and likely begin his career at right guard.

Even with all of those moves, should the Bengals even in the market for a tackle like Leno?

He's a proven left tackle that may be willing to move to the right side. If that's the case then they could move Reiff to guard. That would give them multiple proven veterans and two Pro Bowlers on their offensive line.

Veterans like Reiff, Mike Hilton and even Kenny Golladay had their eye on the Bengals because of quarterback Joe Burrow. They also have plenty of cap space. Why wouldn't Leno want to come to Cincinnati?

It's probably a long shot, since he's going to receive interest from teams across the NFL, but the Bengals should absolutely kick the tires on the Boise State alum.

For the latest Bengals news and coverage, bookmark AllBengals and check out some of our other articles below.

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